Abilify (Aripiprazole)

Abilify is used for treating schizophrenia and certain symptoms of bipolar disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Use Abilify as directed by your doctor.

• Take Abilify by mouth with or without food.
• Taking Abilify at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Take Abilify on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• Continue to take Abilify even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic. Exactly how Abilify works is not known. It affects certain substances in the brain.

If you miss a dose of Abilify, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store Abilify at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Abilify out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do not use Abilify if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Abilify.

• Abilify may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Abilify with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Abilify.
• Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Abilify; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Abilify may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Abilify. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Some patients who take Abilify may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Abilify in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (e.g., tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Abilify.
• Do not become overheated or dehydrated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
• Abilify may raise your blood sugar or increase your risk of developing diabetes. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
• Diabetes patients - Abilify may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including fasting blood sugar levels, may be performed while you use Abilify. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Abilify with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially uncontrolled muscle movements.
• Abilify should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is not known if Abilify can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Abilify while you are pregnant. It is not known if Abilify is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Abilify.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• abnormal dreams; blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; increased saliva production; lightheadedness; nausea; stomach upset; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight gain .

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal thinking; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; increased sweating; increased thirst, urination, or appetite; involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaw, arms, legs, or back (eg, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements); loss of control over urination; loss of coordination; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, hostility); muscle tremor, jerking, or stiffness; one-sided weakness; seizures; severe restlessness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; trouble swallowing; trouble walking; unusual bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes.

Abilify is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.