What Is Abilify Used For?

Abilify contains aripiprazole and belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotic agents that help improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

Primary Uses

Abilify is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental illness with disturbances in thinking, feelings and behavior. It may also be given to treat acute episodes of sustained upward mood swings (mania) in adult patients with Bipolar 1 Disorder. During mania, patients experience episodes of overactivity, elation or irritability.

How It Works

Abilify helps control your condition but does not cure it. It works by improving symptoms of certain types of mental illness, though the exact mechanism is not detailed in this information.

How to Take Abilify

Unless your doctor gives you other directions, you should take Abilify only once a day at about the same time each day for best results.

Dosage Instructions

Take Abilify tablets whole with a glass of water. It doesn’t matter whether you take it with or without food. Continue taking Abilify every day as prescribed, even if you feel better. Improvement in symptoms may take several days to some weeks to occur.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for hints.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• headache
• indigestion
• nausea
• vomiting
• insomnia
• constipation
• light-headedness
• drowsiness
• agitation
• anxiety
• inability to sit or stand still
• restless movement of arms and legs
• chest pain
• feeling dizzy when getting up
• altered or increased sexual interest
• high blood sugar
• weight gain or loss
• loss of appetite
• excessive sweating
• high blood pressure
• difficulty swallowing
• hiccups
• frequent infections
• bleeding or bruising more easily
• speech disorder
• urinary incontinence

Impulse Control Issues

Tell your doctor if you develop urges or cravings to behave in unusual ways that you cannot resist, such as addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, abnormally high sex drive, or preoccupation with increased sexual thoughts. These impulse control disorders can harm yourself or others.

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Abilify should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Abilify

Do not use Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any ingredients listed. Signs of allergic reaction include rash, itching, hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat or other body parts. Do not use after the expiry date or if packaging is damaged.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: neuroleptic malignant syndrome history, tardive dyskinesia history, low blood pressure, heart or blood vessel problems, epilepsy or seizures, swallowing difficulties, high blood sugar or diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, alcohol or drug abuse history, venous thromboembolism risk, sleep apnea history or risk, lactose intolerance, or excessive gambling history.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Abilify is not recommended during pregnancy. If needed during pregnancy, your doctor will discuss benefits and risks. Babies exposed to antipsychotics during the third trimester may experience shaking, muscle stiffness, feeding difficulties, or withdrawal symptoms. Breastfeeding is not recommended as Abilify may pass into breast milk.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Abilify and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

• medicines for brain disorders (anxiety, depression, mood swings, epilepsy, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, insomnia)
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for fungal infections
• medicines for heart rhythm disturbances
• medicines for bacterial or viral infections
• cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmun)
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Magicul)

Alcohol & Driving

Abilify can affect your alertness and coordination, so special precautions are needed with alcohol and driving.

Alcohol

Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Abilify. Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol completely as it can magnify the side effects of this medicine.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Make sure you know how Abilify affects you before driving, operating machinery, or doing anything dangerous. Abilify may cause drowsiness, reduced alertness, light-headedness, dizziness, or tiredness. If you feel light-headed or faint, be careful when getting up from sitting or lying positions – get up slowly.

Temperature Regulation

Abilify may affect how your body reacts to temperature changes and may prevent sweating even during heatwaves. To stay cool: wear light clothing, spend time in air-conditioned environments, drink plenty of water, take cool baths or showers, and restrict exercise to cool parts of the day. Keep warm in cool weather.

Storage

Store Abilify in a cool place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Abilify, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and reduced consciousness. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.

Frequently Asked Questions