Aripiprazole is a medication used to treat certain mental or mood disorders. Examples include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and irritability associated with autism.
This medication may also be used in combination with other medications to treat depression. Aripiprazole is known as an antipsychotic medication that works by helping restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).
This drug can reduce hallucinations and improve concentration. Aripiprazole also helps to think more clearly, reduce nervousness, and restore the quality of daily life.
Aripiprazole can also treat severe mood swings and reduce mood swings.
Benefits of Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole is a drug that works in the brain to treat schizophrenia. Aripiprazole rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.
This medication may also help reduce some or all of the following symptoms:
- Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder (when used alone or with lithium or valproate).
- Long-term management of bipolar disorder.
- Adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder. This means aripiprazole is used in addition to an antidepressant to help treat depression.
- Irritability is associated with autistic disorders.
- Tourette syndrome.
- Helps treat borderline personality disorder or drug-induced hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin levels caused by other antipsychotics).
Aripiprazole Dosage
The dosage of the medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s instructions or the directions on the medicine label. Do not change the dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The dosage of the drug according to health conditions is as follows:
- Bipolar mania
- For adults, 15 mg once daily. When given with lithium or valproate, the initial dose is 10 to 15 mg once daily. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
- For children 10 years and older, initially, 2 mg once daily. The dose will be gradually increased to 10 mg once daily. The dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.
- For adults 2 mg – 5 mg once a day. The doctor will adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg per day.
- Autistic disorder
- For children aged 6 years – 17 years, the dose is 2 mg once a day with a dose of no more than 15 mg per day.
- Schizophrenia
- For adults 10 mg – 15 mg once daily. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.
- Meanwhile, for children aged 13 to 17 years, the dose is 2 mg once a day. The dose will be gradually increased to 10 mg once a day. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.
How to Use Aripiprazole
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking.
Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and increase the dose gradually.
If taking the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/cup.
Do not use a household spoon because it may not get the correct dose. Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often or for longer than prescribed.
It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit from this medication. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your mental health professional. Some conditions may become worse if this medication is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually reduced.
Cautions in Using Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects your consciousness.
Alcohol can increase drowsiness caused by this medication. Do not drink alcohol while taking aripiprazole.
This medication can also trigger hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar), even if you don’t have diabetes.
If you have schizophrenia, you are more likely to develop diabetes than someone without schizophrenia, and taking aripiprazole or similar medications can increase this risk. Seek Early Detection of Schizophrenia Mental Disorders for further treatment.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking aripiprazole:
- Very thirsty.
- Frequent urination.
- Very hungry.
- Blurred or weak vision.
Untreated high blood sugar can lead to a serious condition called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis can be life-threatening if not treated early.
Symptoms of ketoacidosis include dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, fruity breath, and decreased consciousness.
Aripiprazole can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when getting up too quickly from a lying position. This is more likely when you first start taking aripiprazole.
To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, placing your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
Aripiprazole Side Effects
Aripiprazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- Headache.
- Nervousness.
- Anxiety.
- Dizziness, feeling unsteady, or difficulty maintaining balance.
- Indigestion.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach ache.
- Weight gain.
- Changes in appetite.
- Increased salivation.
- Pain, especially in the arms, legs, or joints.
- Fatigue.
In some cases, serious side effects may occur, such as:
- Rash.
- Itchy rash.
- Swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Convulsions.
- Changes in vision.
- Uncontrollable shaking of the face, tongue, or other parts of the body.
- Fever, muscle stiffness, sweating, confusion, clamminess, or fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
- Problems with coordination or increased falls.
- Neck muscle tightening.
- Tight throat.
Aripiprazole Interactions
Aripiprazole works by balancing dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.
Many other drugs and supplements can affect how this medication works. Combining them with aripiprazole could cause unexpected interactions to occur.
There are several drugs that can interact with aripiprazole, namely:
- Carbamazepine.
- St. John’s wort.
- Some medications for Parkinson’s disease.
- Clarithromycin.
- Certain antidepressants.
- Azole antifungal drugs.
- Benzodiazepines.
- Blood pressure medication.
- Opioids.
- Alcohol.
Aripiprazole Contraindications
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any medical problems, such as:
- Alcohol abuse.
- Depression.
- Diabetes or family history of diabetes.
- Drug abuse or dependence.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- Neutropenia (low white blood cells).
- Convulsions.
- Blood vessel disease.
- Dehydration.
- Heart attack or stroke.
- History of heart disease.
- Heart failure.
- Heart rhythm problems.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure).
- Hypovolemia (decreased blood volume).
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Difficulty swallowing.
That’s the explanation about aripiprazole that you need to know. Consult the problem you are experiencing if it has disrupted your daily activities.