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Aripiprazole

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Description

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medicine containing Aripiprazole as an active form. It is used for the treatment of mental disorders like Schizophrenia (a mental disorder in which a person develops unreal thoughts and behaviours) and other mood disorders. This medicine can only control the symptoms but cannot cure the disease. Aripiprazole is used for children six years or older to treat Tourette's disorder (characterised by uncontrollable repetitive movements or unwanted sounds) or symptoms of autistic disorder (characterised by irritability, aggression, mood swings and self-injury). It works by balancing the levels of chemical substances in the brain which are responsible for causing the symptoms of such conditions. Aripiprazole can cause side effects like headache, constipation, altered appetite, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, etc. These side effects usually subside with time. However, consult your doctor for further assistance if they persist or worsen. Avoid driving vehicles or operating heavy machines while taking this medication as it can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Aripiprazole should be taken as recommended by your doctor. Take the medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of medicine in your body. The dose of medicine and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on your underlying condition. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as your symptoms may reoccur. Aripiprazole is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about your current medications and existing medical conditions on priority. This will help your doctor to adjust your dose for avoiding side effects. Aripiprazole should be taken during pregnancy only after consulting your doctor. It passes into breast milk. Hence, your doctor will advise you to discontinue the medicine or to discontinue the medicine. It is not recommended for children below six years of age.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Aripiprazole

Muscle stiffness

Restlessness

Blurred vision

Dizziness

Headache

Acid or sour stomach

Anxiety

Dry mouth

Running Nose

Weight gain

Tremors

Tingling of hands and feet

Uses of Aripiprazole

What is it prescribed for?

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel and behave clearly. Aripiprazole may be used in the treatment of schizophrenia characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disinterests, difficulty with speech, etc.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a brain condition causing episodes of emotional mood swings, characterized by unusual shifts in the mood like hyperactivity and tiredness. Aripiprazole is used in the treatment of Bipolar disorder.

Depression

Depressive disorder is a mood disorder with a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Symptoms may include anxiety, mood swings, irritability, restlessness, lack of concentration, etc. Aripiprazole is used in the treatment of depressive disorder.

Tourette's disorder

Tourette's disorder is a nervous system condition characterised by uncontrollable repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. Aripiprazole is used for children six years or older to treat Tourette's disorder or symptoms of autistic disorder (characterised by irritability, aggression, mood swings and self-injury).
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    Aripiprazole may take a few days or weeks to start showing its effect

  • Duration of effect

    The amount of time for which Aripiprazole remains effective in the body is not clinically established.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Aripiprazole due to the increased risk of severe side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, confusion, nausea, vomiting, etc.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Aripiprazole.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Aripiprazole is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Your doctor may weigh the risks and benefits of using this medicine before prescribing it to you.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    It passes into breast milk. Hence, your doctor will advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue Aripiprazole.

Allergy

Avoid taking Aripiprazole if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Aripiprazole is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Your doctor may weigh the risks and benefits of using this medicine before prescribing it to you.

Breast-feeding

It passes into breast milk. Hence, your doctor will advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue Aripiprazole.

General warnings

Suicidal thoughts

Aripiprazole should be used with caution due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Closely observe for any change in behaviour or mood while taking this medicine. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal thoughts or behaviour.

Diabetes and Dyslipidaemia

Aripiprazole may increase the blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels in the body. Your doctor may recommend regular monitoring of your blood sugar, cholesterol, and fat levels, as well as your body weight.

Tardive dyskinesia

Aripiprazole should be used with extreme caution if you have a history of Tardive Dyskinesia (involuntary movements of the tongue, lips, face, trunk, and extremities) due to the increased risk of recurrent symptoms.

Withdrawal syndrome

Abrupt discontinuation of Aripiprazole may increase the risk of side effects, especially if you have been using a high dose for a long duration. Your doctor may recommend a gradual dose reduction to minimise these reactions. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Driving vehicles or operating machines

Aripiprazole may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.

Use in children

Aripiprazole is not recommended for use in children younger than six years of age as the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.

Missed Dose

Do not miss the dose of Aripiprazole. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Aripiprazole. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Aripiprazole due to the increased risk of severe side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, confusion, nausea, vomiting, etc.

Interaction with Medicine

Ketoconazole

Antidiabetic medicines

Codeine

Atenolol

Disease interactions

Dementia

Aripiprazole is not recommended for use if you have dementia-related psychosis as it may increase the risk of heart failure or infectious diseases like Pneumonia. This risk is especially high in the geriatric population. Your doctor may recommend replacement with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

Liver Disease

Aripiprazole should be used with caution if you have or had liver problems. Your doctor may recommend close monitoring of your liver function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Aripiprazole with food, as instructed by your doctor. Do not break, chew or crush the tablet. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve. Follow all the directions on the prescription label/package insert. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine before the completion of the course. Consult your doctor if you wish to discontinue treatment. Your doctor may recommend frequent monitoring of your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels to ensure you are healthy.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works

Aripiprazole works by inhibiting the release of certain chemical substances in the brain which are responsible for causing anxiety and the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Atypical antipsychotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Aripiprazole 10mg Orodispersible Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 January 2022]

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/29813

Drugs, H., 2022. Aripiprazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 28 January 2022].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603012.html

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - ARIPIPRAZOLE tablet. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 January 2022].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7bf7d35e-46a1-4e8f-aeb5-8a93223a4abc#section-8.4

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 January 2022].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/207202lbl.pdf

Medsafe.govt.nz. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 January 2022].

https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/a/Abilifytab.pdf

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Aripiprazole. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 January 2022].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Aripiprazole
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Information on this page was last updated on 18 Apr 2023

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.