About
Aripiprazole
(ay-ree-PIP-ray-zole)
Aripiprazole (Sold in the US as Abilify) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 15, 2002 for the treatment of schizophrenia, the sixth atypical antipsychotic medication of its kind. More recently it received FDA approval for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder, as well as treatment of depression[1]. Aripiprazole was developed by Otsuka in Japan; in the U.S., Otsuka America markets the drug jointly with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
About Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medicines are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia that may include hearing voices, seeing things, or sensing things that are not there, mistaken beliefs or unusual suspiciousness.
- Aripiprazole is used to treat mixed or manic episodes in adults who have a condition called Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness than causes extreme mood swings.
Precautions for Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should be careful in operating machinery, including automobiles, until you know how Aripiprazole affects you.
- It is important to avoid overheating and dehydration while taking Aripiprazole. Aripiprazole may make it harder to lower your body temperature.
Side Effects of Aripiprazole
The following are the risks and potential side effects of Aripiprazole therapy. However, this list is not complete.
- Increased chance of death in elderly persons. Elderly patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, such as Aripiprazole, for dementia had a higher chance for death than patients who did not take the medicine. Aripiprazole is not approved for dementia.
- A life-threatening nervous system problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS can cause a high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, a fast or irregular heart beat, change in blood pressure, and confusion. NMS can affect your kidneys. NMS is a medical emergency. Call your healthcare professional right away if you experience these symptoms.
- A movement problem called tardive dyskinesia (TD). Call your healthcare professional right away if you get muscle movements that cannot be stopped.
- High blood sugar and diabetes. Patients with diabetes or who have a higher chance for diabetes should have their blood sugar checked often.
- Strokes have happened in older patients treated for mental illness from dementia. Aripiprazole is not approved for this use.
- Other serious side effects with Aripiprazole may include low blood pressure seen as dizziness, increased heart beat and possibly fainting; seizures; increased body temperature; and difficulty swallowing.
- The most common side effects may include headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, anxiety, problems sleeping, lightheadedness (dizziness), sleepiness, restlessness and rash.
Who Should Not Take Aripiprazole
Do NOT use Aripiprazole if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Aripiprazole
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Interactions with Aripiprazole
Because certain other medications can interact with Aripiprazole review all medications that you are taking with your healthcare professional, including those that you take without a prescription.
Your healthcare professional may have to adjust your dose or watch you more closely if you take the following:
- blood pressure medicines
- ketoconazole
- quinidine
- carbamazepine
- fluoxetine or paroxetine
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Aripiprazole.
