Abilify (Aripiprazole) ~ Welcome To Francis Uche's Blog

Abilify is the brand name of the drug aripiprazole, which is used to treat psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
It may also be used to treat major depression in adults and agitation in children with autism.
Abilify is in a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of natural substances in the brain.
The medication was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002.

Abilify Warnings

The FDA requires that Abilify carry a black-box warning about the risks associated with the drug’s use among people with dementia.
Studies show that older adults with dementia who take antipsychotic medicines such as Abilify may be at an increased risk for death. They may also be at a greater risk for suffering a stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke), or other severe side effects.
The FDA has not approved Abilify for use in adults with dementia.
Children, teenagers, and young adults (up to age 24) who took Abilify for depression were more likely to become suicidal.
Children under 18 years old shouldn’t take Abilify to treat depression, but in some cases, a doctor may decide this medication is the best option for a child.
Abilify may affect your mental health in unexpected ways, even if you are older than 24. You may become suicidal, especially at the start of treatment.
You or a caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
New or worsening depression
Panic attacks
Extreme worry
Agitation
Aggressive behavior
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Acting without thinking
Severe restlessness
Mania (feeling frenzied or abnormally excited)

You may experience increases in your blood sugar while taking Abilify and may be at an increased risk for developing diabetes. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had diabetes.
Also, watch for any signs of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness.
You should avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking this medicine. Abilify may make it harder for your body to cool down when you are hot.
Drink plenty of fluids, too, especially during hot weather or when you are engaging in vigorous activity.
Before taking Abilify, you should tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Heart disease, heart failure, a heart attack, or an irregular heartbeat
Low or high blood pressure
A stroke or TIA
Seizures
Breast cancer
High cholesterol
Low white blood cell counts
Liver or kidney disease
Any condition that makes it difficult to swallow

It may take two weeks or longer until you feel the benefits of Abilify. You should not stop taking it without first talking to your doctor.
You should tell your doctor you are taking Abilify before undergoing any type of surgery, including dental procedures.
Before taking Abilify, alert your physician if you have ever used street drugs or abused prescription medicines.

Pregnancy and Abilify

Abilify may cause harm to an unborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before you take Abilify.
Taking this medicine during the last months of pregnancy can cause problems in newborns after delivery.
You should also talk to your doctor before breastfeeding while taking Abilify.
The drug has been detected in breast milk, but there’s little information on the risks Abilify might present to a breastfeeding infant.

Abilify Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Abilify

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don’t go away:

Headache
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Heartburn
Nervousness
Diarrhea or constipation
Stomach pain
Increased appetite
Pain
Increased saliva

Abilify and Weight Gain

Weight gain is a common side effect of Abilify.
However, adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and an exercise routine can minimize this unwanted effect.

Serious Side Effects of Abilify

Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the mood or behavior effects listed in the Warning section or any of the following serious symptoms:

Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
Difficulty breathing
Tightening in the throat or difficulty swallowing
Seizures
Chest pain
Vision changes
High fever
Uncontrollable face or body movements
Confusion
Sweating
Rash, hives, or itching
Swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or legs
Muscle stiffness

Abilify Interactions

You should always tell your doctor about any prescription, non-prescription, illegal, and recreational drugs; herbal remedies; and nutritional and dietary supplements you’re taking, especially:

Antidepressants (mood elevators)
Medications for anxiety, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, mental illness, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems
Antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
HIV protease inhibitors, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase)
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
Nefazodone (Serzone)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
Quinidine
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Sedatives
Sleeping pills
Telithromycin (Ketek)
Tranquilizers

Abilify and Alcohol

Abilify may make you drowsy, and consuming alcohol while taking it can make you even drowsier.
You should not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

Abilify and Grapefruit

You should talk to your doctor before consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
It may cause an interaction.

Abilify and Other Interactions

Abilify may make you drowsy. You should not drive, operate machinery, or perform any activity that requires alertness until you are certain you can do so safely.

Abilify Dosage

Abilify comes as a tablet, disintegrating tablet, liquid, injection solution, and extended-release injection.
The starting oral dose for adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is typically 10 milligrams (mg) to 15 mg daily. This dose can be increased to up to 30 mg a day.
You should take Abilify around the same time each day, with or without food.
To remove the disintegrating tablet from the packaging, use dry hands to peel back the foil and take the tablet out immediately. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil packaging.
Place the entire tablet on your tongue. It will quickly dissolve and can be taken without liquid. Do not try to split the tablet.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Abilify and gradually increase or decrease the dose depending on your response to the drug.

Abilify Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose include the following:

Muscle twitches or tremors
Nausea or vomiting
Drowsiness

If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.

Missed Dose of Abilify

If you miss a dose of Abilify, take it as soon as you remember.
However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular medication schedule.
Don’t double up on doses to make up for a missed one.