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Drug Name
Abilify (aripiprazole)
What is Abilify?
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Abilify 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.
Abilify may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Abilify
Abilify is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Abilify may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Stop using Abilify 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. Abilify 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 Abilify.
How should I take Abilify?
Take Abilify 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.
Do not take aripiprazole for longer than 6 weeks unless your doctor has told you to. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Abilify can be taken with or without food.
Abilify is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor 's instructions.
Measure the liquid form of Abilify 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):
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* 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.
Missed Dose
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.
What happens if I overdose?
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.
Abilify side effects
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 Abilify 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;
- * 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 Abilify 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. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Abilify?:
Before you take Abilify, 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 Abilify.
Where can I get more information?
* Your pharmacist can provide more information about Abilify.
* Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
* Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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