Abilify

Generic Name: aripiprazole (AR i PIP ra zole)
Brand Names: Abilify, Abilify Discmelt

What is Abilify?

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 I disorder (manic depression). It is not known if aripiprazole is safe or effective in children younger than 13 with schizophrenia, or children younger than 10 with bipolar disorder.

Abilify is also used together with other medicines to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Abilify is also used in children 6 years or older who have Tourette's disorder, or symptoms of autistic disorder (irritability, aggression, mood swings, temper tantrums, and self-injury).

Important information

Abilify is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Abilify may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when taking medicine for a major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when taking medicine for a major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Abilify. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole.

Abilify is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

To make sure Abilify is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver or kidney disease;
heart disease, high or low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
a heart attack or stroke;
seizures or epilepsy;
trouble swallowing;
a personal or family history of diabetes; or
an obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulse-control disorder, or addictive behaviors.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when taking medicine for a major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

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.

Abilify may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking this medicine.

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.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, do not stop taking Abilify without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of aripiprazole on the baby.

Aripiprazole can pass into breast milk. It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

What should I avoid while taking Abilify?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, fractures, or other injuries.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

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 signs of an allergic reaction to Abilify: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe agitation, distress, or restless feeling;
twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech;
seizure (convulsions);
thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
low blood cell counts--sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, red or swollen gums, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing; or
high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, weight loss.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Common Abilify side effects may include:

weight gain;
blurred vision;
nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, constipation;
drooling;
headache, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
anxiety, feeling restless;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Abilify?

Taking Abilify with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many other drugs can interact with aripiprazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with Abilify.

In Summary

More frequent side effects include: dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, sedated state, urinary incontinence, and salivation. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to aripiprazole: oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating

Other dosage forms:

intramuscular powder for suspension extended release
intramuscular suspension extended release

Warning

Oral route (Tablet; Tablet, Disintegrating; Solution)

Warning: Increased Mortality In Elderly Patients With Dementia-Related Psychosis And Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors With Antidepressant DrugsElderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Aripiprazole is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older.In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber.The safety and efficacy of aripiprazole have not been established in pediatric patients.

Along with its needed effects, aripiprazole (the active ingredient contained in Abilify) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking aripiprazole:

More common

Difficulty with speaking
drooling
loss of balance control
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
restlessness
shuffling walk
stiffness of the limbs
twisting movements of the body
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Less common

Blurred vision
dizziness
headache
inability to move the eyes
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
sticking out the tongue
trouble with breathing or swallowing
unusual facial expressions

Rare

High fever
high or low blood pressure
increased sweating
lip smacking or puckering
loss of bladder control
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
puffing of the cheeks
rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue
seizures
severe muscle stiffness
sudden loss of consciousness
tiredness
uncontrolled chewing movements
uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs
unusually pale skin

Incidence not known

Hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
redness of the skin
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking aripiprazole:

Symptoms of overdose

Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
diarrhea
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
lack or loss of strength
nausea
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
vomiting

Some side effects of aripiprazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Anxiety
belching
blurred vision
difficulty having a bowel movement
dry mouth
fear
fever
heartburn
hyperventilation
inability to sit still
indigestion
irritability
lightheadedness
need to keep moving
nervousness
rash
runny nose
shaking
sore throat
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
trouble sleeping
weight gain

Less common

Accidental injury
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
body aches or pain
congestion
coughing
difficulty with moving
dryness or soreness of the throat
hoarseness
increased appetite
increased salivation
joint pain
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
rapid weight gain
sneezing
stuffy nose
swollen joints
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tingling of the hands or feet
tremor
unusual weight gain or loss
voice changes

A total of 634 drugs are known to interact with Abilify (aripiprazole).

33 major drug interactions
596 moderate drug interactions
5 minor drug interactions

Most frequently checked interactions

View interaction reports for Abilify (aripiprazole) and the medicines listed below.

Abilify (aripiprazole) alcohol/food interactions

There are 4 alcohol/food interactions with Abilify (aripiprazole)

Abilify (aripiprazole) disease interactions

There are 17 disease interactions with Abilify (aripiprazole) which include: