What is Aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Aripiprazole 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.

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

What is the most important information I should know about Aripiprazole?

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

Stop using aripiprazole 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.

Aripiprazole 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 aripiprazole.

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 aripiprazole.

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 aripiprazole.

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

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

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

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take aripiprazole:

liver or kidney disease
heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems
a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts
a history of heart attack or stroke
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 aripiprazole 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.

Aripiprazole 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 aripiprazole.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether aripiprazole is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Aripiprazole 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.

Aripiprazole Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Aripiprazole?

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 aripiprazole 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 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.

Aripiprazole Interactions

What other drugs affect Aripiprazole?

Also 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 aripiprazole. 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.

What should I avoid while taking Aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole 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 aripiprazole.

Aripiprazole Dosage

How should I take Aripiprazole?

Take this medication 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.

Aripiprazole can be taken with or without food.

Measure the liquid form of aripiprazole 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 aripiprazole 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 aripiprazole tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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

What happens if I overdose on Aripiprazole?

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 happens if I miss a dose of Aripiprazole?

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.

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Aripiprazole