Abilify: Comprehensive Information

Common Use

Abilify is an add-on medication used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder in adults, children, and adolescents, as well as irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients. The mechanism of action of Abilify is unknown. It shows partial agonism at the D2 receptor, is also a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor, and displays an antagonist profile at the 5-HT2A receptor. It has moderate affinity for histamine and alpha-adrenergic receptors, and no appreciable affinity for cholinergic muscarinic receptors.

Dosage and Direction

Take Abilify once daily with or without food. The usual starting dose is 10 or 15 mg; later the dose may be increased to achieve the desired effect.

Precautions

This medication was not approved for use in elderly people with psychosis related to dementia-related psychosis due to the risk of death. Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some adolescents, especially if the dose is changed or during the first period of treatment. Abilify was not approved for use in pediatric patients with depression. As Abilify can impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills, do not use it while operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, if you are not sure that Abilify therapy does not affect you adversely. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding before taking this medication. Avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages during treatment. Avoid overheating and dehydration. Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, may occur when taking Abilify. If you have diabetes mellitus, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.

Contraindications

Breastfeeding, hypersensitivity.

Possible Side Effects

Most common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, nervousness, insomnia, restlessness, tremors, cough, lightheadedness, rash, runny nose, weakness, and weight gain. More serious and rare adverse reactions include an increased risk of stroke and ministroke; neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) with symptoms including fever, rigid muscles, and confusion; tardive dyskinesia (TD) with symptoms including uncontrolled and abnormal movements of body parts.

Drug Interaction

Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications and herbal products you are taking, especially if you use alcohol, blood pressure drugs, carbamazepine, fluoxetine, ketoconazole, paroxetine, and quinidine. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) decreases the levels of Abilify in the body by stimulating liver enzymes such as CYP3A4. Similar effects on Abilify are shown by phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater, Rifamate), and phenobarbital. Blocking of CYP3A4 by Ketoconazole (Nizoral) increases the amount of Abilify in the body. Other drugs with similar action include: 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. Their action is not well studied. Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex) inhibits another liver enzyme known as CYP2D6 and can also increase Abilify levels. Other medicines with similar action are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil). Abilify may dangerously increase blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes.

Missed Dose

Abilify is taken once daily, so take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If the next dose is within 12 hours, do not take the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Never double the dose of this medication.

Overdose

Common adverse reactions to overdose include vomiting, somnolence, and tremor. Other clinically important signs and symptoms observed include acidosis, aggression, increased aspartate aminotransferase, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, coma, confusional state, convulsion, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, depressed level of consciousness, hypertension, hypokalemia, hypotension, lethargy, loss of consciousness, prolonged QRS complex, prolonged QT, pneumonia aspiration, respiratory arrest, status epilepticus, and tachycardia.

Storage

Store at room temperature in a tight, dry container out of reach of children and pets. Do not use after the expiration date.