abilify and cogentin

donmurray · Dec 17, 2003

I have no direct experience, as I work with the elderly, but using a second drug to mask the side effects of the first seems inappropriate, especially when you consider that the second drug also has its own side effects! It may also mask early signs of Tardive Dyskinesia. (Brit spell!)

I hope he gets well!

PsychNurseDee · Dec 21, 2003

I work in a state psych facility with children and adolescents. I have seen a better response to clonodine for tremors in adolescents, but I agree, if this is the first drug that has been tried with your son, then I would suggest a different drug be tried, instead trying to combat side effects of that one. the least amount of drugs to control symptomotology the better. Consult the physician about your concerns and problem solved together. YOU and your son should be active in the treatment planning process. Best of luck to you both.

Dedee

jennangyal · Feb 25, 2004

hello
My son 13 yrs has been on Abilify for the past 4 weeks 5mg dosage. he is also prescribed cogentin now for tremors. Pl let me know if there is any one with such similar experience and the outcome...
thanks
shankar

I have a 21-year-old son with diagnoses of autism, OCD, and ADHD. he has been on abilify 10 mg. for 2 months. After one month he developed a very conspicuous tremor in his hands and arms. He is now on cogentin 1 mg. and the tremor is 90% better, but not gone. I like the effects the abilify has on his behavior (in his lifetime we have tried many other drugs). He is more compliant, easier to redirect from his obsessions, and happier. He does not complain of any other side effects and the slight, intermittent residual tremor doesn't bother him (he's quite verbal, so he can tell me.) Can anyone comment on the long term safety of this combination? He also takes depakote ER 1000mg and tenex 3 mg, and is being weaned off paxil. What are the chances the paxil is contributing to the tremor? What are the chances the tremor will resolve in time and we can discontinue the cogentin? If not, should I be worried about this for the long term? (I'm not a nurse--respond in plain English, please!)