Some experts say that kids cannot be diagnosed with bi-polar and others say yes they can. My son was diagnosed Bi-Polar at the age of 10. He was on Abilify, 5mg a day and over a 8 month period gained 50 lbs. I've done a lot of research on the internet and have not really found anything saying Abilify has been approved by the FDA to be used on children. We did end up and stop using it and switch to something else, but it doesn't work near as good - in fact he is down more than up contiually. What do you know about Abilify, any experiences with it in young children and what is out there that is close to it, without the side effect of weight gain?
Q: Can kids as young as 10 be diagnoses Bi-Polar? Has Abilfy been approved by the FDA to use in kids?
Answers (1)
6/18/09 9:16pm
My daughter who is 11 was put on ABILIFY and put on 30lbs in two months...it was awful. Now we are having so uch trouble getting the weight off. I wouldn't recommend this drug for kids.
6/19/09 9:09am
My daughter takes Adderall XR and Prozac. After the bad experience with Abilfiy and Risbadol, I told them not to put her on anything else. They were trying to add a med to help with her mood swings, but after these two were so awful I said no more. The Risbadol made her like she was psycho, it was so sad. So I don't know what others would be ok. Sorry I can't be of any other help.
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By pmhakl— Last Modified: 10/19/10, First Published: 06/18/09
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What is your daughter on now? We too, are having a very hard time getting the weight off of my son.