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Abilify, Abilify Discmelt, |Abilify

Abilify

Generic Name: aripiprazole (ah rih PIP rah zole)
Brand Names: Abilify, Abilify Discmelt

What is aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Aripiprazole is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Aripiprazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about aripiprazole?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by aripiprazole.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aripiprazole?

Before taking aripiprazole, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• a history of breast cancer;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a personal or family history of diabetes; or

• trouble swallowing.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use aripiprazole, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Aripiprazole may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking aripiprazole.

How should I take aripiprazole?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Aripiprazole can be taken with or without food.

Aripiprazole is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor "s instructions.

Measure the liquid form of aripiprazole with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

To take aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets (Abilify Discmelt):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.

• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

It is important to take aripiprazole regularly to get the most benefit.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Aripiprazole oral solution should be stored in the refrigerator and can be used for up to 6 months after opening.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking aripiprazole?

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by aripiprazole.

Aripiprazole side effects

• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

• jerky muscle movements you cannot control;

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness;

• feeling light-headed, fainting; or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Continue taking aripiprazole and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;

• constipation;

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

• headache, anxiety;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• weight gain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect aripiprazole?

Before taking aripiprazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition;

• carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin);

• rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox);

• quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute); or

• fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), or paroxetine (Paxil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use aripiprazole, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect aripiprazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about aripiprazole written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Aripiprazole is available with a prescription under the brand name Abilify. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Abilify 2 mg-green, rectangular tablets

• Abilify 5 mg-blue, rectangular tablets

• Abilify 10 mg-pink, rectangular tablets

• Abilify 15 mg-yellow, round tablets

• Abilify 20 mg-white, round tablets

• Abilify 30 mg-pink, round tablets

• Abilify 1 mg/mL oral solution

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.