This comprehensive overview of the latest-generation of atypical antipsychotics/mood stabilizer medications Abilify (aripiprazole) is suitable for the layperson and the student of medicine, alike. I review the indications, contraindications, mechanisms of action, major side effects, risks and benefits of this medication, and even delve into a few rare side effects and offer a few esoteric pearls. There is a brief discussion of the difference between an FDA-approved indication and using a medication "off-label."
This video covers the difference between a receptor agonist, antagonist and partial agonist, and explains how, depending on the context, a partial agonist may be relatively antagonistic vs. enhancing of a particular neurotransmitter action. It also defines examples of psychotic negative symptoms (as opposed to positive symptoms, like delusions and hallucinations), and reviews the implications of this medication's extremely long half-life. I also briefly cover tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and galactorrhea.
This information is sophisticated, but presented in a straightforward manner, and I do believe that the non-professional consumer of mental healthcare information will find it useful and informative.
