How should this medicine be used?
Aripiprazole comes as a tablet, a solution (liquid), and an orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take aripiprazole at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take aripiprazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not try to push the orally disintegrating tablet through the foil. Instead, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it on your tongue. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed without liquid. If necessary, liquid can be used to take the orally disintegrating tablet. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of aripiprazole and gradually increase or decrease your dose depending on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience.
Aripiprazole may help control your symptoms, but will not cure your condition. It may take 2 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of aripiprazole. Continue to take aripiprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking aripiprazole without talking to your doctor.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Aripiprazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- nervousness
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- heartburn
- constipation
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- weight gain
- increased appetite
- increased salivation
- pain, especially in the arms, legs, or joints
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- seizures
- slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- changes in vision
- unusual movements of your body or face that you cannot control
- high fever
- muscle stiffness
- confusion
- sweating
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- tightening of the neck muscles
- tightness in the throat
Aripiprazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- drowsiness
- weakness
- widened pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes)
- nausea
- vomiting
- changes in heartbeat
- movements that you cannot control
- confusion
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
User Reviews
At 14 our son began taking Concerta for ADHD. At 16 our son was diagnosed as Bipolar and began taking Trileptal. At the age of 17 Abilify was added. After taking Abilify along with Trileptal and Concerta for several months the dosage of Abilify was increased from 5mg to 10mg. Sadly within 36 hours (Friday pm to Sunday am) he committed suicide. After the tragedy had occurred two people came forward to tell us that he had complained that his medication was making him feel unstable. In retrospect we recall that there was a noticeable increase in volatility within just 24 hours. The event that triggered suicide occurred 36 hours after the increase, when he wrecked his car. When he arrived home after wrecking his car it was apparent that he was not himself. He was extremely agitated and irrational and within 10 minutes had taken his life. Although we were taken aback by the increase in mood swings, we did not associate his behavior with the increase of his medication. I believe this tragedy may have been avoided if the Dr. prescribing this med had clearly informed us of the warning signs associated with the increase in dosage. When we notified the Dr. of the tragedy his response was shock and disbelief. He stated that he believed our son was "doing so well". It seems apparent to me that the doctor had become comfortable in his Dr/Patient relationship with our son and therefore may have minimized the warnings and risks associated with Abilify when taken by teens. My intention is not to place blame but rather to highlight the need for better communication between Dr's and both patients and parents. Warning signs and side effects should be clearly stated each time there is a change/increase regardless of the length of time the patient has been taking the medication.
I have been on Lexapro, 20 mg/day for depression. It helped a lot, but adding Abilify brought my mood up to a whole new level. I haven't felt this good in years. I am only on 2.5 mg/day. (I cut a 5 mg pill in half)..and have been on the drug only about ten days. I feel a huge difference already. I had trouble getting out of bed and starting my day before, now I am up early and anxious to get the day going, excited about life again. I feel more energetic than I have in years.
A couple of downsides I have noticed: It seems like most reviews say that the drug makes them tired, but I seem to be having the opposite issue, insomnia. I now take it in the morning, and hopefully that will help. I am also experiencing constipation, which is one of the possible side effects.
As far as I am concerned though, it's all worth it, this drug is a wonder drug for me!
This medication was prescribed for my 6-year old son who had SEVERE anger issues. He is a totally different child. A little drowsiness is worth him feeling like a normal little boy.
I have been on many medications for depression. I take Abilify along with other meds and have had a tremendously positive response. It has removed the loss of energy that I suffered from, I feel awak and alive and energetic. I have the energy to cook dinner--and even dinner for the freezer for the future,am happy doing chores (as happy as you can be doing chores) and overall a positive sense of being. My heart goes out to those who have had negative side effects from Abilify---I've been there on other medication. If you are about to try this medicine, know that some people do have positive outcomes, while others do not. There is a weight gain, and I've started doing minor exercising. I don't like the weight gain, but at least I feel good again.