Abililfy side effects - muscles very rigid

[Think About It...]

When my 14 yr. old D was in hospital they increased her Abilify from 5mg to 15mg.  She is having really bad muscle rigidity...I read this is a common side effect and can get dangerous.  I was worried enough to take her to ER yesterday.  They decreased dosage down to 10mg and she still has same problem.  She is very uncomfortable; they say give her Benadryl but she cannot function like this!  Has anyone else experienced this? 

[cleanandsober]

When my 14 yr. old D was in hospital they increased her Abilify from 5mg to 15mg.  She is having really bad muscle rigidity...I read this is a common side effect and can get dangerous.  I was worried enough to take her to ER yesterday.  They decreased dosage down to 10mg and she still has same problem.  She is very uncomfortable; they say give her Benadryl but she cannot function like this!  Has anyone else experienced this? 

[goinbonkers]

it could just be excessive adrenaline.  maybe they should have given her something (anti-anxiety) to relax her instead.  why don't you want to try the benadryl?

[peaceplease]

cleanandsober,(co

I am an LPN and worked in psychiatric hospital.  We assessed our pateints for EPS symptoms(extrapyramdial side effects).  Lay terms:  muscle stiffness, restlessness, uncontrolled eye movement, rolling their fingers, jaw clicking, are some of the main side effects that require medical attention.  The psychiatrist would often decrease dose and add benadryl or cogentin.   

Anti-psychotic drugs can have the above mentioned side effects.  Sometimes, they may even switch the medications. 

You need to to decide when the risks outweigh the benefits.  My brother is severely psychotic without his meds.  He is schizophrenic.  He has had many of the side effects.  He still takes cogentin and ativan daily in addition to his other meds. 

It is not uncommon to take another drug to combat the side effects of anti-psychotics.

peaceplease