Abilify (Aripiprazole) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 21, 2012

Abilify

Prescription Anxiety Medications »

What are anxiety medications and how do they work?

Anxiety is both a normal and useful response to potentially stressful or dangerous situations. It helps by increasing our awareness of what's going on around us and in other ways. For most people, the anxiety is short lived and normally goes away once the situation has passed. But that is not the case for an estimated 40 million adults in the United States who have some type of anxiety disorder and experience ongoing and unwarranted psychological distress. That distress may also manifest itself in physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, or chest pain.

Anxiety medications include multiple types of drugs that are used to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders. The three most commonly prescribed types of anxiety medication are antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications -- also known as anxiolytics -- and beta-blockers. The first two types of anxiety medications work primarily by affecting the ba...

Read the Prescription Anxiety Medications article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Abilify User Reviews >>

Abilify

Schizophrenia Slideshow Pictures

Take the Schizophrenia Quiz

font size

Abilify Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aripiprazole (Abilify)?

Aripiprazole is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Aripiprazole may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

You should not take aripiprazole if you are allergic to it.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take aripiprazole:

liver or kidney disease;
heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
a history of heart attack or stroke;
a history of breast cancer;
seizures or epilepsy;
a personal or family history of diabetes; or
trouble swallowing.

The liquid form (oral solution) of this medication may contain up to 15 grams of sugar per dose. Before taking aripiprazole oral solution, tell your doctor if you have diabetes.

The orally disintegrating tablet form of this medication may contain over 3 milligrams of phenylalanine per tablet. Before taking Abilify Discmelt, tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.

Aripiprazole may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking aripiprazole.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether aripiprazole is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Aripiprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take aripiprazole (Abilify)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not take aripiprazole for longer than 6 weeks unless your doctor has told you to.

Aripiprazole can be taken with or without food.

Measure the liquid form of aripiprazole with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

To take aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets (Abilify Discmelt):

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

It is important to take aripiprazole regularly to get the most benefit.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store aripiprazole tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Aripiprazole oral solution should be stored in the refrigerator and can be used for up to 6 months after opening.

Related Drug Centers