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Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat certain mental illnesses. It can be used in patients as young as 10 with doctor supervision. Abilify should not be used in elderly patients experiencing symptoms of dementia as it can cause serious complications.

Since its release in the late 1990s and early 2000s Abilify has seen tremendously widespread use around the world in treating a number of conditions, most notably:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar mania
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Depression
• Tourette's syndrome
• Irritability associated with autism

Though less common, Abilify may also be used in other conditions, usually along with other medications.

Atypical antipsychotic treatments like Abilify are less likely to produce some side effects than typical antipsychotics, most significantly extrapyramidal symptoms. Extrapyramidal symptoms are movement and muscle control issues sometimes caused by typical antipsychotics, such as muscle spasms and rigidity. Atypical antipsychotics are also less likely to cause constipation.

Treatment Overview

The conditions Abilify treats are complex and often not fully understood from a medical perspective. Treating a complex mental condition is often further complicated when other medications are also being taken or other major medical conditions are present. For optimal results with Abilify it's important a doctor be involved in determining and adjusting dosage, ensuring the medication is working as intended, and monitoring for any developing side effects.

Abilify comes in several formulations; regular tablets, dispersible (dissolvable) tablets, and injections. Regular and dispersible tablets are essentially the same; the dispersible version is ideal for patients who have difficulty, or an aversion to, swallowing whole tablets. Injections are not interchangeable; the injectable formula has its own dosage scale. Injections are typically reserved for use in treating agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar mania episodes.

Standard dosage varies somewhat depending on the condition being treated, and will need to be adjusted if other medications are being taken. In otherwise healthy adults:

• In schizophrenia starting dosage is 10 to 15 mg per day, which may be increased if needed up to 30 mg per day. In injection form for alleviating agitation the standard dose is 9.75 mg, but may range from 5.25 to 15 mg.
• In bipolar disorder the standard dose is 15 mg, increased to 30 mg if needed. For alleviating agitation with injections, the standard dose is 9.75 mg, but may range from 5.25 to 15 mg (the same as for schizophrenia).
• In obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment should start with 2 mg per day, gradually increased to 10 mg per day if needed.
• In depression the daily dose is 2 to 15 mg per day, depending on other medications being taken.
• In Tourette's syndrome treatment should start at 2 mg per day, gradually increased to a 10 mg maintenance dose. It can be increased to 20 mg if needed, though this is unusual.
• For irritability associated with autism treatment should start with 2 mg per day, which may be increased up to 10 to 15 mg per day.

Abilify injections are very fast-acting; if taking tablets it will take up to a week for full effects to be seen. Because of this there should always be at least a week before benefit is evaluated and dosage adjustments made. Dosage adjustments are typically made in 5 mg increments.

Abilify tablets can be taken with or without food. Many patients find taking tablets with food reduces nausea. Regular tablets should not be split, crushed, or dissolved. Dispersible tablets can be dissolved in fluids or wet foods.

Precautions

As with any medication, Abilify can cause side effects. If used properly side effects are usually mild and often stop occurring as the body adjusts to treatment. Patients with certain other medical conditions are more likely to encounter complications while using this medication; discuss risks with a doctor before use if there is a history of:

• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Heart arrhythmia
• Diabetes
• Liver or kidney impairment
• Parkinson's disease
• Cancer
• Seizures

This product can interact with a wide range of other medications and, though not common, these interactions can produce potentially dangerous side effects. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing this or any other medications.