Abilify

Generic name: aripiprazole

Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Dosage form: Tablet
Root of administration: Oral
Dose: 2 – 30 mg

Mechanism of action: It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Drug usage cases:

• used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions including schizophrenia in adults and children at least 13 years old.
• used alone or with a mood stabilizer medicine to treat bipolar I disorder (manic depression) in adults and children at least 10 years old.
• used with antidepressant medication to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
• 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).

Drug contra indications: 

• heart problems or a stroke
• high or low blood pressure
• diabetes (in you or a family member)
• seizres
• low white blood cell (WBC) counts

Side effects: 

• severe agitation, distress, or restless feeling
• twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs
• mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech
• seizure (convulsions)
• severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out
• low blood cell counts – fever, chills, sore throat, weakness, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin
• high blood sugar – increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor

Warnings:

• Abilify is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
• If you also use antidepressant medicine, do not stop using it suddenly.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn. Tell your doctor right away if you get pregnant. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor’s advice.