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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Abilify used for?
Who should not take Abilify?
What should I tell my health care provider?
What are some possible side effects?
What is Abilify used for?
Abilify is used to treat schizophrenia. Abilify has not been studied in children under 18 years of age.
Schizophrenia affects over two million Americans and is thought to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Abilify (aripiprazole) can improve your chance for recovery and the return to a more normal life.
Who should not take Abilify?
Do not take Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the other ingredients in Abilify.
General Precautions with Abilify:
- Abilify may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should be careful in operating machinery, including automobiles, until you know how Abilify affects you.
- In clinical studies, few people reported restlessness, muscle stiffness, tremors, shakes or tics, or other involuntary movements while on Abilify.
- Abilify may cause trouble swallowing (esophageal dysmotility). This can cause choking and lead to a type of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia in some patients.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Abilify.
- It is important to avoid overheating and dehydration while taking Abilify. Abilify may make it harder to lower your body temperature.
What should I tell my health care provider?
Tell your health care provider if you:
- have any heart problems, or have had a heart attack or stroke.
- have or have had seizures. Abilify can make it easier for you to have a seizure, especially if you have or have had seizures or certain medical conditions that increase the chances of having a seizure.
- are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your health care provider if you take:
- Ketoconazole
- Quinidine
- Tegretol (carbamazepine)
- Medicines to treat high blood pressure
Some of these medicines may cause serious side effects if used while you also take Abilify. Some of these medicines may affect how Abilify works, or Abilify may affect how these medicines work.
What are some possible side effects of Abilify?
Some rare but serious side effects with Abilify include:
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Symptoms of NMS include high fever, muscle rigidity (tightness), confusion, change in pulse, blood pressure or heartbeat, and sweating. It can also lead to muscle breakdown and kidney failure.
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD). Symptoms of TD include involuntary (uncontrolled) and abnormal muscle movements.
Some common side effects with Abilify include:
- headache
- weakness
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- anxiety
- problems sleeping
- lightheadedness (dizziness)
- sleepiness
- restlessness
- rash
Some people taking antipsychotics have experienced orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness or faintness caused by rising too quickly from a sitting or lying position.)
As with other antipsychotic drugs Abilify should be used cautiously if you have a history of seizures. For more detailed information about Abilify, ask your health care provider.
Common misspelling of Abilify - abilifi, abilifie, abilifye abillify |
