Abilify Is Not As Effective As Once Thought

A recent study that appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that drugs like Abilify might not effectively treat acute stress. What’s more, the side effects linked with Abilify may be more hazardous than deemed necessary. Problems with Abilify and pregnancy and Abilify for children are other concerns associated with its use. For this reason, women who take Abilify and intend on becoming pregnant or who are already expecting should talk over their options with their doctor.

Drugs that are used to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms have roughly the same rate of effectiveness as placebos but have serious side effects. The study examined the use of Risperdal in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication that is in the same class as Abilify and Seroquel. Thus, experts have concluded that the same results could be found with Abilify.

The researchers discovered that military veterans who were given Risperdal to treat post-traumatic stress disorder had a comparable rate of recovery to veterans who were given a placebo. After being treated for six months, about five percent of the veterans in the groups recovered and 10 – 20 percent experienced some improvement. Thus, researchers concluded that the treatment with medication did not significantly benefit these veterans.

In February of last year, the FDA warned that using Abilify during pregnancy might well cause abnormal muscle movements and withdrawal symptoms in infants who are exposed to the drug before birth. Abnormal muscle tone, acute breathing difficulties, anxiety, and tremors are all symptoms of these conditions. It is not immediately known whether these events are caused by drug toxicity or withdrawal. But as the FDA noted, some newborns improved by themselves, while other newborns needed intensive care and an extended hospitalization.

Attorney Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, automobile accident cases, personal injury cases, dental malpractice and medical malpractice lawsuits for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years in and around Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured and would like quality legal representation, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.