Suggest Ways To Wean Off Abilify

Posted on Tue, 23 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 Answered on

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : How can I stop Abilify I have been taking 2.5 mg daily for 3 years and want to stop it gradually. I have been unable to do so so far.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gradual dose reduction will not cause withdrawal symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Abilify is Aripiprazaole and the drug is an second generation antipsychotic drug. Normal doses are 10-30 mg per day. The dose of 2.5 mg per day you are taking is very low. It will be easier to withdraw from this dose and you will have only psychological symptoms and physical symptoms will be minimal.

To reduce the intake of such low doses best is to reduce the doses over 4 weeks. Reduce the doses by 0.5 mg every week and then you can stop completely at about 4 weeks. If you develop psychological symptoms then the period can be extended to 6 weeks. Start with 2 mg per day and then after a weeks reduce the doses further and progressively to 1.5 mg then 1 mg and then the drug on every alternate day for about 2 weeks and then stopping the drug completely.

Dose reduction in this method will be very smooth and you will not have withdrawal symptoms. If you develop mild restlessness, insomnia, anxiety the for some time benzodiazepines can be taken on prn basis and this will help in easy tapering.

Visit your doctor for detailed advise on dose reduction.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar