Managing depression has many challenges. One of those challenges can be feeling like you're not getting the symptom improvement you were hoping for while taking an antidepressant.
Symptoms of depression
Below are common symptoms of depression*:
- Sadness most of the day
- Low energy or fatigue
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability, restlessness, or being slowed down
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Significant weight change
- Thoughts about suicide or dying
* A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, commonly referred to as depression, requires having a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities a person used to enjoy. In addition, 4 additional symptoms listed above must also be present nearly every day for at least 2 weeks.
For a more thorough assessment, check out our Depressive Symptom Questionnaire.
If you're taking an antidepressant and still experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor to see if the option of adding ABILIFY could be right for you.
What is add-on therapy?
Add-on, or "adjunctive" therapy is another treatment that works together with your current medication. The purpose of the add-on is to give you added relief from your symptoms, and it is meant to work with your current medication rather than replace it.
ABILIFY as an add-on
The combination of ABILIFY with an antidepressant you've already been taking, including Lexapro®, Zoloft®, Prozac®, Effexor XR®, Paxil CR®, or their generic equivalents where available, can be an effective strategy in depression treatment because of the way the two medicines work together.
Clinical studies show that when adults added ABILIFY to an antidepressant treatment, some experienced significant improvement in their symptoms of depression compared to others treated with an antidepressant plus a sugar pill.
Learn more about Managing Depression.
Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate), Zoloft® (sertraline HCl), Prozac® (fluoxetine hydrochloride), Effexor XR® (venlafaxine HCl), Paxil CR® (paroxetine HCl) are trademarks of their respective companies.