What is Abilify?
Abilify 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 including schizophrenia in adults and children at least 13 years old.
Abilify is also used alone or with a mood stabilizer medicine to treat bipolar I disorder (manic depression) in adults and children at least 10 years old.
Abilify is used with antidepressant medication to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
Abilify is also used in children at least 6 years old to treat Tourette’s disorder and to treat symptoms related to autistic disorder (irritability, aggression, mood swings, temper tantrums, and self-injury).
Warnings
Abilify is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.
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.
If you also use antidepressant medicine, do not stop using it suddenly.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole.
Abilify may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
heart problems or a stroke;
high or low blood pressure;
diabetes (in you or a family member);
seizures; or
low white blood cell (WBC) counts.
People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
The liquid form (oral solution) of this medication contains sugar. Before taking Abilify oral solution, tell your doctor if you have diabetes.
Aripiprazole can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels carefully.
How should I take Abilify?
Take Abilify exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Abilify can be taken with or without food.
Swallow the regular tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Do not split the orally disintegrating tablet.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If needed, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.
If you also use antidepressant medicine, do not stop using it suddenly or you could have unpleasant symptoms. Ask your doctor before stopping the antidepressant.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Abilify liquid may be used for up to 6 months after opening, but not after the expiration date on the medicine label.
Detailed Abilify dosage information
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
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