How to Use
This medicine can be taken with or without food.
Take this medicine with a glass of water.
It is important that you take Abilify exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly unless you are directed to do so by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, try to take it as soon as you possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that upcoming dose. Do not double up on any dose.
Important Information
It may take a few weeks before this medicine begins to work. See your doctor regularly for check ups on your progress.
After a change in dose, or after starting this medicine for the first time, it is important that you and your family watches for the following signs. Contact your health care provider if you get a worsening of depression or thoughts of suicide, or if you feel or behave unusually aggressive, hostile, impulsive, anxious or hyperactive.
Avoid engaging in activities that require a high level of coordination or mental alertness until you are aware of how you respond to this medicine.
Avoid dehydration, and avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you notice you are more hungry or thirsty than usual, or if you are urinating more frequently than usual, notify your healthcare provider. He or she may want to check your blood sugar.
Be certain that your healthcare provider is aware if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Be sure that your healthcare provider is aware if you have any of the following conditions
Dehydration, heart disease, dementia, diabetes, stroke history, blood conditions(low blood cell counts), parkinson’s disease, seizures, history of suicidal thoughts, all allergies.
Side Effects
Common side effects that do not require doctor notification
Constipation, blurred vision, sleep trouble, nausea, weight gain, headache.
Side effects that you should report to your doctor as soon as possible
Confusion, allergic reactions(hives, itching, swelling of the face or mouth), lightheadedness or fainting, fever/chills, increased hunger, increased thirst, increased urination, joint pain, muscle pain, muscle spasms, trouble talking, trouble walking, problems with balance, restlessness, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions, mood changes, uncontrollable mouth, neck, arm, leg or head movements, excessive fatigue.
Adult Doses
Bipolar 1 disorder
Tablets: 15mg by mouth once per day. (10-15mg/day if used in combination with valproate or lithium).
Borderline Personality Disorder
Tablets: 15mg/day orally. (10-15mg/day if used in combination with sertraline).
Schizophrenia in Adults
Tablets: 10-15mg/day by mouth as a starting dose. The dose can then be increased at intervals of no less than 2 weeks. Intramuscular injection: 400mg given as an intramuscular injection once monthly. (It is important to establish tolerability first using oral aripiprazole). Give oral aripiprazole after the initial injection, do this for 14 days.
Psychomotor Agitation
9.75 mg intramuscularly initially. This dose may be given again after 2 hours. Up to 30mg/day. (Off Label)
Major Depressive Disorder
Between 2mg and 5mg by mouth once daily as a starting dose. Adjust dose by up to 5 mg increments at intervals no less than 1 week to up to 15mg/day.
Max Daily Dose
30mg/day
Schizophrenia Between 13-17 years old
2mg by mouth once daily for 2 days, then 5mg by mouth once daily for 2 days, then 10 mg by mouth once daily.
Bipolar 1 Ages 10 and up
2mg by mouth once daily for 2 days, then 5mg orally for 2 days, then 10 mg orally daily.
Psychomotor Agitation (6-17 years old)
Start at 2 mg once a day, increase to up to 15mg/day. Increase at one week intervals by 5 mg increments.
Tourette’s Syndrome (6-18 years old)
Less than 50kg: Start at 2 mg once a day for 2 days, the dose is then increased to 5mg once a day. The dose should be increased at intervals of no less than 1 week. If required, the dose can be increased up to 10mg/day.
50kg or More: Start at 2 mg once a day for 2 days, the dose is then increased to 5mg once a day for 5 days. On the eighth day the dose is typically increased to 10mg orally once a day. If required, the dose can be increased to up to 20 mg once per day. The dose should then be increased at intervals of no less than 1 week, and should be increased by 5 mg at a time.
Uses
Abilify is a well tolerated and safe medication used for a variety of conditions. It helps to balance the natural substances that are already in your body, and is one of the most effective medications in it’s class. It’s most common uses are for schizophrenia, agitation, bipolar disorder, and Tourette’s Syndrome.
Resources
1. Abilify (aripiprazole) tablets, discmelt orally-disintegrating tablets, oral solution, intramuscular injection [package insert]. Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; 2016.
2. ABILIFY oral tablets, solution, IM injection, aripiprazole oral tablets, solution, IM injection.[package insert]. Rockville, MD: Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc; 2011.
