Symptoms of a Drug Prescription
FACTS ABOUT ABILIFY (ARIPIPRAZOLE)
Picture displayed is a general pill and should not be used as a pill identifier.
The following highlights the facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites regarding prescription drugs. Medication facts can change. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.
What YOU Need to Know
Aripiprazole, brand name Abilify, is an atypical antipsychotic.
- Developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
- Approved by the FDA in 2002
Abilify forms:
- ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) Tablets, for oral use
- ABILIFY DISCMELT® (aripiprazole) Orally Disintegrating Tablets
- ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) Oral Solution
- ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) Injection FOR INTRAMUSCULAR USE ONLY
Pictures of different Abilify (Ariprazole) pill forms, visit: https://siglerdrugcards.com
Abilify oral formulations are indicated for:
- Schizophrenia
- Acute Treatment of Manic and Mixed Episodes associated with
Bipolar I - Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
- Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder
- Treatment of Tourette’s disorder
Abilify injection is indicated for:
- Agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania
Aripiprazole (Abilify) should be taken:
- Carefully follow the directions on your prescription label
- Ask doctor or pharmacist to explain directions
- Swallow the tablet whole
- Do not split tablet
- Do not divide, crush or chew
Possible side effects of Aripiprazole (Abilify):
- headache
- nervousness
- restlessness
- dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance
- heartburn
- constipation
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- weight gain
- changes in appetite
- increased salivation
- pain, especially in the arms, legs, or joints
- tiredness
Some side effecs can be serious
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- seizures
- changes in vision
- uncontrollable shaking of the face, tongue, or other body parts
- uncontrollable body movements (tardive dyskinesia)
- fever; stiff muscles; sweating; confusion; sweating; or fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- problems with coordination or increased falls
- tightening of the neck muscles
- throat tightness
Aripiprazole may cause other side effects.
Call you doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about new impulse-control problems associated with mental health drug aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that compulsive or uncontrollable urges to gamble, binge eat, shop, and have sex have been reported with the use of the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada, and generics).
These uncontrollable urges were reported to have stopped when the medicine was discontinued or the dose was reduced.
These impulse-control problems are rare, but they may result in harm to the patient and others if not recognized.
Although pathological gambling is listed as a reported side effect in the current aripiprazole drug labels, this description does not entirely reflect the nature of the impulse-control risk that we identified.
In addition, we have become aware of other compulsive behaviors associated with aripiprazole, such as compulsive eating, shopping, and sexual actions.
These compulsive behaviors can affect anyone who is taking the medicine. As a result, we are adding new warnings about all of these compulsive behaviors to the drug labels and the patient Medication Guides for all aripiprazole products.
For more information, please go to the U.S. Food & Drug website at:
IMPORTANT WARNING for older adults with dementia
Accessed from:
Studies have shown that older adults with dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality) who take antipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as aripiprazole have an increased chance of death during treatment.
Aripiprazole is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior problems in older adults with dementia.
For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs.
IMPORTANT WARNING for people who have depression:
Accessed from:
A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years of age) who took medications for depression during clinical studies became suicidal (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so).
For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs.
Find Your Path
Learn more. Live healthier!
- Know how YOUR medication should be taken
- Verify if YOUR medication pill can be cut, opened, or altered in any way
- Realize cutting or altering a medication can change how the drug is released into your body
- Be Aware of misinformation regarding medication
A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years of age) who took medications for depression during clinical studies became suicidal (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so).
For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs.
- Know how YOUR medication should be taken
- Verify if YOUR medication pill can be cut, opened, or altered in any way
- Realize cutting or altering a medication can change how the drug is released into your body
- Be Aware of misinformation regarding medication
Sources used:
- National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Abilify,” Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Official Abilify site, Medication Guide, accessed March 9, 2023, https://www.abilify.com
- Medlinplus, National Library of Medicine, accessed April 15, 2023, https://medlineplus.gov,drugsinfo/meds
- “Drugs@FDA:FDA-Approved Drugs – Aripiprazole,” U.S. Food & Drug, accessed April 15, 2023, https://accessdata.fda.gov
- U.S. Full Prescribing Information, Abilify, https://www.otsuka.us.com
Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
Medical Disclaimer:
We share informational resources that are intended to help you with your self-care plan. We are not professionals. We write based on personal experience and personal research.
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the Website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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