David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Abilify (Aripiprazole)
By Candida Fink MD
January 9, 2009
Like Zyprexa and the other atypical antipsychotics, Abilify (aripiprazole) was developed primarily to treat schizophrenia and psychosis but has been approved to treat acute bipolar mania.
Abilify has FDA approval for maintenance treatment of bipolar ? reducing or eliminating recurrence of mood episodes. It does not have an indication for treating bipolar depressive episodes but it is approved for treating mixed episodes. It now also has an FDA indication as an add-on medication for unipolar depression that is not responding to antidepressants alone. It is the only atypical to have approval to treat acute manic or mixed episodes in children as young as 10 years old.
Elderly patients, diagnosed with psychosis as a result of dementia should not take Abilify or most other medications in its class, due to an increased risk of death.
You should not take Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any other ingredients in Abilify. Allergic reactions range from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
Abilify can improve symptoms of schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms that may occur in bipolar, including the following:
Abilify can also improve symptoms related specifically to mania, including the following:
For bipolar disorder, your prescriber is likely to start you on a low dose, such as 5 mg once a day, and then increase your dose slowly. (If you have low blood pressure, poor liver function, or are elderly or in a weakened condition, your prescriber may ramp up the dose even more slowly.) Most patients take 30 mg or less per day.
In my practice, Abilify is often a first or second choice medication in bipolar and related conditions. It is an effective agent in reducing mood symptoms and explosive and irritable reactions. When it was first released, I was hopeful that it would have less weight gain than other medications, but this has not been the case. Abilify often causes weight gain, and this needs to be monitored and discussed in treatment. Abilify is particularly noted for a side effect referred to as akathisia. This means restlessness ? an inability to sit still. Often this occurs in the first few weeks of treatment and resolves but can persist in some people.
Other Potential Side Effects
Being reported by five percent or more of those taking Abilify in the study and twice the rate as for those taking a placebo:
Unlike most other atypical antipsychotics, Abilify does not increase levels of the reproductive hormone prolactin. Many other atypical agents do increase this hormone, which can affect menstrual cycles.
For more about Abilify, visit Bristol-Myers Squibbs? Abilify page.
By Candida Fink MD
January 9, 2009
Like Zyprexa and the other atypical antipsychotics, Abilify (aripiprazole) was developed primarily to treat schizophrenia and psychosis but has been approved to treat acute bipolar mania.
Abilify has FDA approval for maintenance treatment of bipolar ? reducing or eliminating recurrence of mood episodes. It does not have an indication for treating bipolar depressive episodes but it is approved for treating mixed episodes. It now also has an FDA indication as an add-on medication for unipolar depression that is not responding to antidepressants alone. It is the only atypical to have approval to treat acute manic or mixed episodes in children as young as 10 years old.
Elderly patients, diagnosed with psychosis as a result of dementia should not take Abilify or most other medications in its class, due to an increased risk of death.
You should not take Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any other ingredients in Abilify. Allergic reactions range from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
Abilify can improve symptoms of schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms that may occur in bipolar, including the following:
- Hallucinations (audio and visual)
- Delusions
- Disorganized thinking
- Paranoia
Abilify can also improve symptoms related specifically to mania, including the following:
- Irritability
- Elevated mood
- Impulsivity
- Racing thoughts
- Inflated self esteem
- Decreased need for sleep
For bipolar disorder, your prescriber is likely to start you on a low dose, such as 5 mg once a day, and then increase your dose slowly. (If you have low blood pressure, poor liver function, or are elderly or in a weakened condition, your prescriber may ramp up the dose even more slowly.) Most patients take 30 mg or less per day.
In my practice, Abilify is often a first or second choice medication in bipolar and related conditions. It is an effective agent in reducing mood symptoms and explosive and irritable reactions. When it was first released, I was hopeful that it would have less weight gain than other medications, but this has not been the case. Abilify often causes weight gain, and this needs to be monitored and discussed in treatment. Abilify is particularly noted for a side effect referred to as akathisia. This means restlessness ? an inability to sit still. Often this occurs in the first few weeks of treatment and resolves but can persist in some people.
Other Potential Side Effects
Being reported by five percent or more of those taking Abilify in the study and twice the rate as for those taking a placebo:
- Development of diabetes type II or pre-diabetes ? problems with sugar and insulin metabolism. Regular lab tests are necessary to monitor this.
- Elevation of blood lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. Regular lab work will be part of treatment to monitor this side effect.
- Constipation.
- Sleepiness.
- Tremor or rigid muscles (Parkinsonian or extrapyramidal symptoms). These are dose related and reversible. These side effects are less likely in Abilify than in older antipsychotic medications.
- Tardive dyskinesia ? involuntary, abnormal movements that can be irreversible. It is believed that Abilify presents a lower risk of tardive dyskinesia than older antipsychotics
Unlike most other atypical antipsychotics, Abilify does not increase levels of the reproductive hormone prolactin. Many other atypical agents do increase this hormone, which can affect menstrual cycles.
For more about Abilify, visit Bristol-Myers Squibbs? Abilify page.
