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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dcruik518 on February 27, 2009, at 11:50:18
HAs anyone tried both of these drugs? If so, what are the main differences in your experience. I'm taking Abilify now and I noticed that Geodon is also supposed to be weight neutral and really sedating. Geodon is also cheaper than Abilify. From Stahl's guide, it sounds like the mechanism of action for the two drugs is thought to be pretty much the same, too. It seems like Abilify is a lot more popular, though, and used for more disorders. I'm wondering what the subjective difference is between the two drug is in terms of how they make you feel. Thanks, D
Posted by dcruik518 on February 28, 2009, at 10:58:23
In reply to Abilify vs. Geodon--they look the same on paper!!!, posted by dcruik518 on February 27, 2009, at 11:50:18
Posted by SLS on February 28, 2009, at 11:16:47
In reply to Abilify vs. Geodon--they look the same on paper!!!, posted by dcruik518 on February 27, 2009, at 11:50:18
> HAs anyone tried both of these drugs? If so, what are the main differences in your experience. I'm taking Abilify now and I noticed that Geodon is also supposed to be weight neutral and really sedating. Geodon is also cheaper than Abilify. From Stahl's guide, it sounds like the mechanism of action for the two drugs is thought to be pretty much the same, too. It seems like Abilify is a lot more popular, though, and used for more disorders. I'm wondering what the subjective difference is between the two drug is in terms of how they make you feel. Thanks, D
On paper, there is a major difference between the two drugs. Abilify is unique in its ability to act as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors, whereas like all other neuroleptics, Geodon acts as a full D2 antagonist. Other differences are that Geodon acts as a reuptake inhibitor of both serotonin and norepinephrine whereas Abilify does not.Abilify works for some people to give them more energy and motivation. The same can be said of Geodon, which is much more like an antidepressant than Abilify. For me, Geodon helped for about a week and then fizzled out. Therafter, I found that it gave me some pretty potent brain fog.
- Scott
Posted by Zyprexa on March 1, 2009, at 8:28:25
In reply to Abilify vs. Geodon--they look the same on paper!!!, posted by dcruik518 on February 27, 2009, at 11:50:18
I've taken them both. They are very different in effects. If you like abilify I would stick to it. If not then try geodon. I didn't fined geodon to be very sedative. I gained weight and got diabetes on geodon. Abilify did the oposite. I did find geodon more tolerable. I didn't sleep at all on abilify. And was tired all the time. Abilify is stimulating, geodon is not. Neither drug worked for me, I take zyprexa and perphenazine now with good response. Perphenazine is weight nutral, and sedating. I wanted it to replace the zyprexa but not quite.
Posted by dcruik518 on March 1, 2009, at 12:50:30
In reply to Re: Abilify vs. Geodon--they are very different!!! » dcruik518, posted by Zyprexa on March 1, 2009, at 8:28:25
Posted by delna on March 5, 2009, at 22:23:32
In reply to Thanks for your responses (nm), posted by dcruik518 on March 1, 2009, at 12:50:30
Its amazing how we all have different reactions to the same drugs. I have been on both drugs and they are very, very different- even on paper.
According to Stahl and my own experience Geodon is very activating at low doses (40mg-60mg). Its a funny sort of activation in that the drug actually sedates you (very much so- which is why I always took it at night) but you wake up the next morning (with the help of Provigil (which I have always taken with other combinations with really limited results) bursting with energy and positivity. At higher doses its great for anxiety but doesn't activate so much. Rather it stabalizes.
I have a very lethagic type of depression and was so shocked that an antipsychotic could just yank me out of bed. My pdoc added Geodon 40mg to a combination of Effexor, lamictal, provigil and wellbutrin which on their own were not working too well in terms of mood and especially not on the exhaustion. Then along came geodon 40mgs and I leapt out of bed full of life. Believe me I was so surprised that I refused to attribute it to the drug but time told me that this was not a mild high but very stable reaction. I was on Geodon for a year, had a life and a job but developed a weird and unbearable nerve pain on it so I had to give it up. I am still heartbroken about that because I have never felt more normal. Its a life changing drug if you are a lethargic depressive/ bipolar. Infact it is being tested for depression at the moment. Yes, I put on 10-15 pounds on it but it is so worth it and the weight can be lost with difficulty (but it IS possible).Abilify according to books (stahl) and my experience has a pathetic antidepressant action. I'm on it now and its not activating at all. Granted its not sedating which is why I take it in the day but its apparently only activating at very high doses (but I don't want to risk such high doses because it has a higher chance of TD than Geodon.) Otherwise it has very mild antidepressant properties and is okay as a stabalizer. I dont like it and have had to add parnate for the wake up and antidepressant factor.(am waiting for that to work) I'm not sure if I'm putting on weight because its only been a month or so.
If you are really curious about the differences b/w these 2 drugs (or any others) I highly recommend Stahls Essential Psychopharmacology: The Prescriber's Guide
TC
D
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