Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication that prevents visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations.
It is a medication I use to prevent auditory hallucinations, that is to say that it prevents me from hearing things that are not there – including bleeping sounds of the Microwave, Washer and my cats meowing.
I went to pick up my prescription from the Chemist this week to discover that there is a national (in the UK) shortage of Aripiprazole in the 10mg and 5mg strengths.
It started several months ago with a shortage of the 10mg strength, so I was switched to the 5mg strength. Now they are also in short supply. My Chemist wasn’t able to tell me the reason why or when this shortage is likely to be resolved.
My daily dose is 20mg of Aripiprazole so my GP has ordered me the 15mg strength and advised me to use the last of my 5mg strength to make up the dose. This will last me a couple of weeks, whilst he awaits for further information.
If this goes on for several months, then there will be no option but to switch me to a different antipsychotic medication. The thought is anxiety provoking. Aripiprazole is a 2nd Generation antipsychotic. Others in the category include Quetiapine and Olanzapine, both of which have side effects including being highly sedative and weight gain. Plus I’ve been on large dosages of Quetiapine without good effect.
For now I will have to wait and see what happens. My mental stability depends on me being on the right medication to balance my neurotransmitters.
Write soon,
Antony
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