Abilify

Generic Name: aripiprazole (AR i PIP ra zole)

Brand Names: Abilify, Abilify Discmelt

What is Abilify?

Related Video

Video preview What is Depression?

Dr. Holly takes us inside the brain to show us why depression is more than just a "down mood."

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.

Abilify may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Abilify

Abilify is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Abilify may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Stop using Abilify and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: fever with stiff muscles and rapid heart rate; uncontrolled muscle movements; symptoms that come on suddenly such as numbness or weakness, severe headache, and problems with vision, speech, or balance. Abilify can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Abilify.

Before you take aripiprazole, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Abilify.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Abilify.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Abilify?

Abilify is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Abilify may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to aripiprazole. If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Abilify:

* liver or kidney disease;

*

heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;

*

a history of heart attack or stroke;

*

a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

*

a history of breast cancer;

*

seizures or epilepsy;

*

a personal or family history of diabetes; or

*

trouble swallowing.

The liquid form (oral solution) of this medication may contain up to 15 grams of sugar per dose. Before taking Abilify oral solution, tell your doctor if you have diabetes. The orally disintegrating tablet form of this medication may contain over 3 milligrams of phenylalanine per tablet. Before taking Abilify Discmelt, tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.

Abilify may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Abilify.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Abilify is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Abilify can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Abilify?

Take Abilify exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not take aripiprazole for longer than 6 weeks unless your doctor has told you to.

Abilify can be taken with or without food.

Measure the liquid form of Abilify with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

To take aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets (Abilify Discmelt):

*

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

*

Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.

*

Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

*

Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

It is important to take Abilify regularly to get the most benefit.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store Abilify tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Abilify oral solution should be stored in the refrigerator and can be used for up to 6 months after opening.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, vomiting, agitation, aggression, confusion, tremors, fast or slow heart rate, seizure (convulsions), trouble breathing, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Abilify?

Abilify can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Abilify.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Abilify.

Abilify side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Abilify and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

*

fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

*

jerky muscle movements you cannot control;

*

sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance;

*

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

*

white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

*

increased thirst or urination, loss of appetite, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, nausea, and vomiting;

*

seizure (convulsions);

*

thoughts of hurting yourself;

*

feeling like you might pass out;

*

jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

*

urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious Abilify side effects may include:

*

choking or trouble swallowing;

*

dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;

*

constipation, mild stomach upset;

*

headache, anxiety;

*

sleep problems (insomnia); or

*

weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Abilify?

Before you take Abilify, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Abilify.

Also tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

Before taking Abilify, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

*

a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition;

*

carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin);

*

rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

*

ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox);

*

quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute); or

*

fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), or paroxetine (Paxil).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Abilify. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.