Abilify (Aripiprazole) belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. Abilify (Aripiprazole) helps treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression. It also helps treating Tourette's disorder and some symptoms of autism. Abilify (Aripiprazole) could also be used together with other antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder. This medication works by affecting the actions of certain chemical substances in the brain.

Doctor's prescription is required to use this medicine.

Always take Abilify (Aripiprazole) as directed by your physician.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Abilify (Aripiprazole) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take Abilify at around the same time every day. Swallow the regular tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Do not stop taking aripiprazole without talking to your doctor.

Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Always take Abilify (Aripiprazole) exactly as directed by your doctor.

Before using Abilify (Aripiprazole), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or any other medications. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history. Tell your doctor about all the other prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.

Abilify is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

To make sure Abilify is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart disease, high or low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

• low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

• a heart attack or stroke;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• trouble swallowing;

• a personal or family history of diabetes; or

• an obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulse-control disorder, or addictive behaviors.

Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, do not stop taking Abilify without your doctor's advice.

Aripiprazole can pass into breast milk. It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome.

• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Skin rash (on its own)
• Tremors
• Trouble sleeping
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Weight gain

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Behaviour changes (e.g., uncontrolled and/or inappropriate sexual behaviour, or gambling)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness when rising from a sitting or lying position
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (abnormal body movements, restlessness, shaking, or stiffness)
• Muscle twitching or abnormal movements of the face or tongue
• Sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep)
• Sleep walking and eating while asleep
• Symptoms of an infection (e.g., sore throat, fever, chills, cough)
• Symptoms of high blood sugar (excessive thirst or hunger, excessive urination, weight loss, tiredness)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Long-lasting (greater than 4 hours) and painful erection of the penis
• Seizures
• Signs of a blood clot in blood vessels, such as chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, pain and swelling in one leg muscle
• Signs of low blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness when rising from a lying or sitting position)
• Signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (e.g., confusion, reduced consciousness, high fever, or muscle stiffness)
• Signs of stroke (e.g., sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, and speech or vision problems)
• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing; difficulty swallowing; swelling of the face, mouth, throat, or tongue)
• Very stiff muscles with high fever, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, confusion, or reduced consciousness

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What happens if I overdose?

In case of overdose call the Poison Help line. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, vomiting, aggression, confusion, tremors, fast or slow heart rate, seizure (convulsions), trouble breathing, or fainting.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I avoid while taking this medication?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, fractures, or other injuries.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Abilify.