Does Abilify (Aripiprazole) reverse the effects of Mirtazapine ?

[rudiecantfail]

Hello,

I'm prescribed 2.5mg abilify, & 30mg mirtazapine, both for depression.

Well, the question is, since Abilify is a partial agonist of 5HT2c receptors, and mirtazapine antidepressant effects come from antagonizing 5HT2c receptors: is taking abilify counter-productive ? If yes, why my psychiatrist gave me these meds ?

Thanks.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

This combo is sometimes used for treatment-resistant depression. A study showed that taking mirtazapine and aripiprazole showed that people got the same antidepressant effects as they did from taking just mirtazapine, but that adding the aripiprazole made the antidepressant effect start working sooner in people suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Adding the aripiprazole also reduced weight gain caused by mirtazapine, and reduced the likelihood of aripiprazole-induced movement disorders. [source]