Aripiprazole (Abilify) | Fast Escrow Refills

Aripiprazole (Abilify) Tablets

Brand Names: Abilify®

Tablets: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg

Orally disintegrating tablets: 10 mg, 15 mg

Liquid suspension: 1 mg/mL

Injection (immediate release): 9.75 mg/1.3mL

Generic name: aripiprazole

Medication class: Second generation antipsychotic (SGA), atypical antipsychotic

All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please review before taking this medication.

What Is Aripiprazole And What Does It Treat?

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Abilify is also used to treat irritability and symptoms of aggression, mood swings, temper tantrums, and self-injury related to autistic disorder in children who are at least 6 years old.

Aripiprazole is a medication that treats schizophrenia. It is also known as a second generation antipsychotic (SGA) or atypical antipsychotic. Aripiprazole rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.

Symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Hallucinations - imagined voices or images that seem real
• Delusions - beliefs that are not true (e.g., other people are reading your thoughts)
• Disorganized thinking or trouble organizing your thoughts and making sense
• Little desire to be around other people
• Trouble speaking clearly
• Lack of motivation
• Aripiprazole may help some or all of these symptoms.

Aripiprazole is also FDA approved for the following indications:

• Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder
• Maintenance (long-term) treatment of bipolar disorder (when used alone or with lithium or valproate)
• Adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder. This means aripiprazole is used in addition to an antidepressant to help treat depression.
• Irritability associated with autistic disorders
• Acute treatment of agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

This medication sheet will focus primarily on schizophrenia. You can find more information about bipolar disorder, depression, and autism spectrum disorders on our Learn About Mental Health Conditions page.

What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Aripiprazole?

Schizophrenia requires long-term treatment. Do not stop taking aripiprazole, even when you feel better.

Only your healthcare provider can determine the length of aripiprazole treatment that is right for you.

Missing doses of aripiprazole may increase your risk for a relapse in your symptoms.

Do not stop taking aripiprazole or change your dose without talking to with your healthcare provider first.

For aripiprazole to work properly, it should be taken every day as ordered by your healthcare provider.

Are There Specific Concerns About Aripiprazole And Pregnancy?

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your healthcare provider to best manage your medications. People living with schizophrenia who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. This is a complex decision since untreated schizophrenia has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers.

Caution is advised with breastfeeding since aripiprazole does pass into breast milk.

Before Taking Aripiprazole

Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most:

• If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
• Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects
• If you ever had muscle stiffness, shaking, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, or weight gain caused by a medication
• If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider. Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication.
• Any psychiatric or medical problems you have, such as heart rhythm problems, long QT syndrome, heart attacks, diabetes, high cholesterol, or seizures
• If you have a family history of diabetes or heart disease
• All other medications you are currently taking (including over the counter products, herbal and nutritional supplements) and any medication allergies you have
• Other non-medication treatment you are receiving, such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment. Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication.
• If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• If you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs

How Should I Take Aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole tablets and suspension are usually taken 1 time per day with or without food.

Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks.

The oral dose usually ranges from 2 mg to 30 mg. The dose of the extended-release injection is usually ranges from 300 mg to 400 mg. Only your healthcare provider can determine the correct dose for you.

Aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets must remain in their original packaging. Open the package with clean dry hands before each dose. Do not try to put tablets in a pillbox if you take the orally disintegrating tablets.

Aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets will dissolve in your mouth within seconds and can be swallowed with or without liquid.

Aripiprazole suspension: Measure with a dosing spoon or oral syringe, which you can get from your pharmacy.

Use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.

The extended-release injection form of aripiprazole is administered every month. Your healthcare provider will administer these injections.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Aripiprazole?

Common Side Effects

• Constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, tremor, blurred vision, anxiety, fatigue
• Feeling drowsy, dizzy or restless
• Rare/Serious Side Effects
• Rash, increased appetite, dry mouth, muscle aches, seizure, agitation

Aripiprazole may increase the blood levels of a hormone called prolactin. Side effects of increased prolactin levels include females losing their period, production of breast milk and males losing their sex drive or possibly experiencing erectile problems. Long term (months or years) of elevated prolactin can lead to osteoporosis or increased risk of bone fractures.

- See more at: https://fastescrowrefills.net/index.php/mental-health/abilify-aripiprazole.html

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