Abilify (Aripiprazole)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
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 through its antipsychotic properties.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Abilify is addictive.
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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. Taking it at the same time will have the best effect and help you remember.
Dosage Instructions
Abilify tablets should be swallowed whole and washed down with a glass of water. It does not matter whether you take Abilify with or without food. Follow the instructions provided and use Abilify until your doctor tells you to stop. You must take Abilify every day as improvement in symptoms may take several days to some weeks to occur.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed as this may increase the chance of getting an unwanted side effect.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this increases your risk of side effects.
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 the 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
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- seizure, fits or convulsions
- fainting
- sudden increase in body temperature
- sweating with fast heartbeat and muscle stiffness
- muscle pain, weakness or stiffness
- painful irreversible erection
- abnormal movements of tongue or uncontrolled movements of mouth, cheeks, eyes or jaw
- disorder of body temperature regulation
- yellowing of skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
- allergic reaction with rash and breathing difficulties
- inflammation of pancreas with severe stomach pain
- serious lung infection with fever and chest pain
- difficulty passing urine
- thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm
Impulse Control Issues
Tell your doctor if you develop urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you, including addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, abnormally high sex drive, or other impulse control disorders. These behaviors can harm yourself or others and your doctor may need to adjust or stop your dose.
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Abilify.
Who Should Not Take Abilify
Do not use Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching or hives on the skin, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body. Do not take after the expiry date or if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: neuroleptic malignant syndrome or tardive dyskinesia reactions to medicines, low blood pressure, heart or blood vessel problems, epilepsy or seizures, problems with your esophagus, 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 past experience of excessive gambling or impulse control issues.
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 are at risk of withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended that you do not breast-feed while taking Abilify as it may pass into breast milk.
Elderly Patients With Dementia: Some elderly patients with dementia have suffered serious side effects such as mini stroke, stroke, pneumonia or heart problems while taking Abilify. These serious side effects can be life threatening.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Abilify and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may affect how Abilify works.
- medicines used to treat brain disorders such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, epilepsy or seizures, Parkinson's disease or insomnia
- medicines used to treat high blood pressure
- medicines used to treat fungal infections
- medicines used to treat heart rhythm disturbances
- medicines used to treat bacterial or viral infections
- cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmun)
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Magicul)
Alcohol & Driving
Abilify can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to stay safe.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Abilify. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol as it can magnify the side effects of this medicine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Make sure you know how you react to Abilify before driving, operating machinery or doing anything that could be dangerous. Abilify may cause drowsiness, light-headedness, dizziness or tiredness. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, be careful when getting up from sitting or lying down – getting up slowly may help.
Temperature Regulation
Abilify may affect how your body reacts to temperature changes and may prevent sweating, even during heatwaves. Keep cool in hot weather by wearing light clothing, staying in air-conditioned environments, drinking plenty of water, taking cool baths, and restricting 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 where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Abilify, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms include drowsiness, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and reduced consciousness. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Improvement in symptoms may take several days to some weeks to occur. You must continue taking Abilify every day even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Yes, it does not matter whether you take Abilify with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day for best results.
No, there is no evidence that Abilify is addictive.
Do not stop taking Abilify suddenly as your condition may worsen. Always check with your doctor before stopping or lowering your dose, even if you are feeling better.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Abilify. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol as it can magnify the side effects of this medicine.
Weight gain and weight loss are both possible side effects of Abilify. Monitor your weight and discuss any significant changes with your doctor.
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose as this increases your risk of side effects.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.