Drug Title

Abilify (Aripiprazole)

Usage indications

Abilify is an add-on employed for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder treatment for all age groups. This drug is used as well for the treatment of irritations due to autistic disorder. Abilify mechanism of working is unknown. It presents partial agonism at the D2 receptor, partial agonism at the 5-HT1A receptor together with antagonist profile at the 5-HT2A receptor. It is related in some way to histamine and alpha adrenergic receptors and has some relation to cholinergic muscarinic receptors.

Application mode

Use Abilify once a day during or before meal. Common initial dose makes 10 or 15 mg and can be increased afterwards in case of necessity.

Missed dose

Abilify should be taken once a day, so remember to take missed dose asap. Avoid the missed dose if you remembered about it within 12 hours and return to your usual schedule. Double dosage intake is prohibited.

Overdosage

General  serious side effects: vomiting, somnolence, and tremor, acidosis, aggression,  increased aspartate aminotransferase , atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, coma, confusion, convulsion, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, depression, hypertension, hypokalemia, hypotension, lethargy, loss of consciousness, QRS and QT  prolonged complex, pneumonia aspiration, respiratory arrest, status epilepticus, and tachycardia.

Keeping

Store at room temperature in a tightly closed dry container and keep away from children and pets. Avoid using after expiration term.

Warning

This drug should not be prescribed to elderly people suffering from psychosis due to dementia-related psychosis  because of the death risk. Antidepressants might growth suicidal plans or actions in some teenagers specifically  in case of the dosage change or treatment initial period. Abilify is not recommended for usage at pediatric patients  suffering from depression. Do not use Abilify during driving or performing other dangerous operations  until  you know your reaction as this drug can impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Inform your doctor about pregnancy, plans to become pregnant or nursing during this drug intake. Do not drink alcohol during this drug intake and keep away from overheating and dehydration. Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, may occur when taking Abilify intake can cause hyperglycemia or sugar level increase in blood. Control your sugar blood level on a regular basis if you suffer from diabetes mellitus.

Contraindications

Nursing, hypersensitivity.

Side effects

Most widespread side effects are nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness, restlessness, tremors, cough, headache, insomnia, lightheadedness, rash, runny nose, weakness, and weight increase.  Among the  more rare serious side effects are the increased risk of stroke and ministroke; neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) - fever, rigid muscles, confusion; tardive dyskinesia (TD) - uncontrolled and abnormal movements of body parts.

Interaction with other drugs

Inform your doctor on the intake of any of the following drugs or herbal add-ons, alcohol, blood pressure drugs, carbamazepine, fluoxetine, ketoconazole, paroxetine, and quinidine.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) diminishes Abilifyole level in the body, by thus prompting  the action of liver enzymes such as CYP3A4. Phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), and Phenobarbital have the same influence. Abilify amount in the body is increased due to blocking of CYP3A4 by Ketoconazole (Nizoral). Other drugs with similar action are: itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), voriconazole (Vfend), cimetidine (Tagamet), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor), erythromycin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), nefazodone (Serzone), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), nelfinavir (Viracept), indinavir (Crixivan), and grapefruit juice make  the same influence.  On the other hand their influence is not studied fully.

Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex) produces another liver enzyme - CYP2D6 increasing  Abilify level. Fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) have the same effect. Abilify may increase sugar blood level to dangerous stage at the patients suffering from diabetes.

Renunciation

We provide only general information about drugs which do not cover all precautions. The information this site contains can not be used for self treatment and self diagnostics. Agree with your doctor any special instructions for each drug intake. We are not liable for information authenticity and the mistakes it may contain. We are not liable for direct, indirect, special or any other indirect losses due to any usage of information this site contains and for any consequences of self -treatment.