What is Abilify: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 12, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Abilify overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Abilify, Abilify Mycite

Generic Names:

  • Aripiprazole

Uses:

  • Treats schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and Tourette syndrome. Also treats irritability associated with autism.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antipsychotic

Forms:

  • Dissolving Tablet, Tablet, Liquid

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Abilify come in

  • Dissolving Tablet

  • Tablet

  • Liquid

What are common Abilify doses?

  • Tablet 2MG

  • Tablet 5MG

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Tablet 15MG

  • Tablet 20MG

  • Tablet 30MG

Common Abilify prescriptions

  • Abilify
    15 tablets bottle

  • Abilify
    30 tablets bottle

  • Abilify
    45 tablets bottle

  • Abilify
    10mg tablet

  • Abilify
    15mg tablet

  • Abilify
    20mg tablet

  • Abilify
    2mg tablet

  • Abilify
    30mg tablet

  • Abilify
    5mg tablet

How to take Abilify

  • Disintegrating tablet: Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If the Abilify Mycite® tablet is not detected on the app or portal after you take it, do not repeat the dose.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Tablet: Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

  • Abilify Mycite® has a sensor in the tablet to track it inside the stomach or bowels. The Abilify Mycite® System comes with a patch (wearable sensor), a smartphone application (app), and a web-based portal. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to use the medicine.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Tablet: Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If the Abilify Mycite® tablet is not detected on the app or portal after you take it, do not repeat the dose.

  • Abilify Mycite® has a sensor in the tablet to track it inside the stomach or bowels. The Abilify Mycite® System comes with a patch (wearable sensor), a smartphone application (app), and a web-based portal. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to use the medicine.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Disintegrating tablet: Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.

Abilify contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to aripiprazole.

Abilify warnings

  • This medicine may cause the following problems: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a neurologic disorder than can be life-threateningTardive dyskinesia (muscle movements you cannot control)Changes in blood sugar levelsUnusual changes in behavior, including gambling urges, binge or compulsive eating, or compulsive shopping, or sexual urgesSeizures

  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Be careful when you exercise or you are outside in hot or humid weather. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, diabetes, heart failure, high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a history of seizures, heart attack, or stroke.

  • Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Abilify interactions

  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

  • Some medicines can affect how aripiprazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Carbamazepine, clarithromycin, fluoxetine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, paroxetine, quinidine, or rifampinBenzodiazepine or sedative medicine (including lorazepam)Blood pressure medicine

  • You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Use caution when you exercise or if you are outside in hot weather. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  • Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. This medicine may raise your blood sugar level, and you may need to check it more often.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a neurologic disorder than can be life-threateningTardive dyskinesia (muscle movements you cannot control)Low blood pressure

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Abilify side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Compulsive behavior or intense urges you cannot control

  • Anxiety, irritability, nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping

  • Confusion, unusual behavior, depressed mood, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

  • Unusual tiredness or sleepiness

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

  • Increased hunger or thirst, change in how much or how often you urinate

  • Seizures

  • Sweating, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness

  • Jerky muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Nausea, vomiting, drooling

  • Unusual weight gain

  • Headache