Abilify Alternatives (Cont.)

Therapy as an Abilify Alternative

It is unlikely that therapy alone can replace the need for medication in people who have bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. However, therapy can be an important part of a well-rounded treatment plan. Numerous studies have found that psychosocial treatments as part of an overall schizophrenia treatment plan can be very helpful. This therapy helps patients who are already stabilized on antipsychotic medication deal with certain aspects of schizophrenia, such as difficulty with:
 
  • Communication
  • Motivation
  • Self-care
  • Work
  • Establishing and maintaining relationships with others.
     
As an addition to medication, psychosocial treatments -- including certain forms of psychotherapy (or "talk" therapy) -- are helpful in providing support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder, as well as to their families. Studies have shown that psychosocial interventions can lead to increased mood stability, fewer hospitalizations, and improved functioning in several areas.
 
 

Other Medications

Fortunately, there are many medications available to treat bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and there are other medications that can be used along with antidepressants for the treatment of depression. These medications can include:
 
  • Other atypical antipsychotics
  • Older, typical antipsychotics
  • Mood stabilizers (for bipolar disorder)
  • Other augmentation strategies (medication to be used along with an antidepressant to boost the effectiveness of the depression medication).
     
Atypical Antipsychotics
Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic. Atypical antipsychotics are usually effective at treating schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It is thought that these newer antipsychotic medications may have fewer serious side effects than older antipsychotics (although studies have shown conflicting results). In addition to Abilify, these medications can include:
 
There is also a bipolar disorder medication (Symbyax®) that combines Zyprexa with fluoxetine (Prozac®), an antidepressant.
 
Typical Antipsychotics
These are older, "first-generation" antipsychotic medications. While it is thought that these medications may be more likely to cause serious side effects, studies have shown conflicting results. These medications can include:
 
Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are effective at treating bipolar disorder (but not schizophrenia). Many (but not all) of these medications are anticonvulsants (meaning they are used to treat seizures). These medications can include:
 

 

Augmentation Strategies
For most people, antidepressants can work wonders for depression treatment. However, some people do not respond adequately to antidepressants, even if different antidepressants are tried. In such situations, non-antidepressant medications may be given to boost the effects of the antidepressant. This is known as augmentation. In addition to Abilify, there are several different options for augmentation treatment of major depression, including:
 
  • Buspirone (Buspar®)
  • Lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®)
  • Pindolol (Visken®)
  • Thyroid medications, including:

 

 

(Abilify Alternatives Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;