Will a lower dose of Abilify ease dizziness and sleepiness?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been taking Solian 50 mg and Lorans 1 mg daily for mild schizophrenic thoughts and anxiety. It has been stable for a few years until my period stops because of Solian. My doctor prescribed Abilify 5 mg a few days ago to replace Solian, so my period can be normal again. But I felt very sleepy at work and dizzy. Yesterday, I split the Ablilify 5 mg into halves. I still felt dizzy and sleepy, although less and I have a headache too. Should I further divide the medicine into four quarters? What is the minimum dosage of Abilify? Is there 1 mg? Would sleepiness and headache ease if I take less, say 1 mg? I feel Abilify is so much stronger than Solian. Is that true? If I continue to take Solian and do not have my period, what are its consequences?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your situation. You should take tablet Abilify 5 mg at night and try to stop the tablet Lorans 1 mg. Tablet Loran (Lorazepam) is sedative and anti-anxiety. It is more responsible for sedation rather than the only tablet Abilify. You should try to take tablet Lorazepam half (means 0.5 mg) and if you do not need then try to stop. You will be better on tablet Aripiprazole 5 mg. If you have severe anxiety then you can take as per requirement take tablet Clonazepam mouth dissolving 0.5 mg. There will be no issue if you continue your tablet Solian (Amisulpride) instead of a tablet Abilify. You will have regular menstruation in future after stopping Solian.

You should also try to follow lifestyle changes to live a healthy mental life. It will help you to deal with your mental illness.

Do exercises daily for 30 - 45 minutes like at least going for a walk.

Do meditation for 20 minutes daily, just sit at one place in a comfortable position and try to concentrate on your normal breathing, do not stop or force yourself to stop your thoughts, just let it be.

Eat healthy home-cooked foods, and avoid junk foods.

Spend quality time with friends and family daily or do video calls if you are living away from your family.

You should spend time on creative hobbies like reading good books, writing journals, painting, drawing, learning new skills or language or musical instruments.

You should take enough seven to eight hours of sleep daily.

Avoid tobacco or alcohol or any substance abuse.

I hope this helps.