Abilify is an add-on medication used for the treatment of\u00a0major depressive disorder<\/b>,\u00a0schizophrenia<\/b>,\u00a0manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder<\/b>\u00a0in adults, children, and adolescents, as well as\u00a0irritability associated with autistic disorder<\/b>\u00a0in pediatric patients. The mechanism of action of Abilify is unknown. It shows partial agonism at the\u00a0D2 receptor<\/b>, is also a partial agonist at the\u00a05-HT1A receptor<\/b>, and displays an antagonist profile at the\u00a05-HT2A receptor<\/b>. It has moderate affinity for\u00a0histamine<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0alpha-adrenergic receptors<\/b>, and no appreciable affinity for\u00a0cholinergic muscarinic receptors<\/b>.<\/p>\nDosage and Direction<\/b><\/h3>\n
Take Abilify once daily with or without food. The usual starting dose is\u00a010 or 15 mg<\/b>; later the dose may be increased to achieve the desired effect.<\/p>\nPrecautions<\/b><\/h3>\n
This medication was not approved for use in\u00a0elderly people with psychosis related to dementia-related psychosis<\/b>\u00a0due to the risk of death.\u00a0Antidepressants<\/b>\u00a0may 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\u00a0pediatric patients with depression<\/b>. As Abilify can impair\u00a0judgment<\/b>,\u00a0thinking<\/b>, or\u00a0motor skills<\/b>, 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\u00a0pregnant<\/b>, plan to become pregnant, or are\u00a0breastfeeding<\/b>\u00a0before taking this medication. Avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages during treatment. Avoid\u00a0overheating and dehydration<\/b>. Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, may occur when taking Abilify. If you have\u00a0diabetes mellitus<\/b>, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.<\/p>\nContraindications<\/b><\/h3>\n
Breastfeeding<\/b>,\u00a0hypersensitivity<\/b>.<\/p>\nPossible Side Effects<\/b><\/h3>\n
Most common adverse effects include\u00a0nausea<\/b>,\u00a0vomiting<\/b>,\u00a0constipation<\/b>,\u00a0headache<\/b>,\u00a0dizziness<\/b>,\u00a0nervousness<\/b>,\u00a0insomnia<\/b>,\u00a0restlessness<\/b>,\u00a0tremors<\/b>,\u00a0cough<\/b>,\u00a0lightheadedness<\/b>,\u00a0rash<\/b>,\u00a0runny nose<\/b>,\u00a0weakness<\/b>, and\u00a0weight gain<\/b>. More serious and rare adverse reactions include an increased risk of\u00a0stroke<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0ministroke<\/b>;\u00a0neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)<\/b>\u00a0with symptoms including\u00a0fever<\/b>,\u00a0rigid muscles<\/b>, and\u00a0confusion<\/b>;\u00a0tardive dyskinesia (TD)<\/b>\u00a0with symptoms including\u00a0uncontrolled and abnormal movements<\/b>\u00a0of body parts.<\/p>\nDrug Interaction<\/b><\/h3>\n
Inform your doctor about all\u00a0prescribed and over-the-counter medications<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0herbal products<\/b>\u00a0you are taking, especially if you use alcohol,\u00a0blood pressure drugs<\/b>,\u00a0carbamazepine<\/b>,\u00a0fluoxetine<\/b>,\u00a0ketoconazole<\/b>,\u00a0paroxetine<\/b>, and\u00a0quinidine<\/b>. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) decreases the levels of Abilify in the body by stimulating liver enzymes such as\u00a0CYP3A4<\/b>. Similar effects on Abilify are shown by\u00a0phenytoin<\/b>\u00a0(Dilantin),\u00a0rifampin<\/b>\u00a0(Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater, Rifamate), and\u00a0phenobarbital<\/b>. Blocking of CYP3A4 by\u00a0Ketoconazole<\/b>\u00a0(Nizoral) increases the amount of Abilify in the body. Other drugs with similar action include:\u00a0itraconazole<\/b>\u00a0(Sporanox),\u00a0fluconazole<\/b>\u00a0(Diflucan),\u00a0voriconazole<\/b>\u00a0(Vfend),\u00a0cimetidine<\/b>\u00a0(Tagamet),\u00a0verapamil<\/b>\u00a0(Calan, Isoptin),\u00a0diltiazem<\/b>\u00a0(Cardizem, Dilacor),\u00a0erythromycin<\/b>,\u00a0clarithromycin<\/b>\u00a0(Biaxin),\u00a0nefazodone<\/b>\u00a0(Serzone),\u00a0ritonavir<\/b>\u00a0(Norvir),\u00a0saquinavir<\/b>\u00a0(Invirase),\u00a0nelfinavir<\/b>\u00a0(Viracept),\u00a0indinavir<\/b>\u00a0(Crixivan), and\u00a0grapefruit juice<\/b>. Their action is not well studied.\u00a0Quinidine<\/b>\u00a0(Quinaglute, Quinidex) inhibits another liver enzyme known as\u00a0CYP2D6<\/b>\u00a0and can also increase Abilify levels. Other medicines with similar action are\u00a0fluoxetine<\/b>\u00a0(Prozac) and\u00a0paroxetine<\/b>\u00a0(Paxil). Abilify may dangerously increase\u00a0blood sugar levels<\/b>\u00a0in patients with diabetes.<\/p>\nMissed Dose<\/b><\/h3>\n
Abilify is taken once daily, so take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If the next dose is within\u00a012 hours<\/b>, do not take the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Never double the dose of this medication.<\/p>\nOverdose<\/b><\/h3>\n
Common adverse reactions to overdose include\u00a0vomiting<\/b>,\u00a0somnolence<\/b>, and\u00a0tremor<\/b>. Other clinically important signs and symptoms observed include\u00a0acidosis<\/b>,\u00a0aggression<\/b>,\u00a0increased aspartate aminotransferase<\/b>,\u00a0atrial fibrillation<\/b>,\u00a0bradycardia<\/b>,\u00a0coma<\/b>,\u00a0confusional state<\/b>,\u00a0convulsion<\/b>,\u00a0increased blood creatine phosphokinase<\/b>,\u00a0depressed level of consciousness<\/b>,\u00a0hypertension<\/b>,\u00a0hypokalemia<\/b>,\u00a0hypotension<\/b>,\u00a0lethargy<\/b>,\u00a0loss of consciousness<\/b>,\u00a0prolonged QRS complex<\/b>,\u00a0prolonged QT<\/b>,\u00a0pneumonia aspiration<\/b>,\u00a0respiratory arrest<\/b>,\u00a0status epilepticus<\/b>, and\u00a0tachycardia<\/b>.<\/p>\nStorage<\/b><\/h3>\n
Store at room temperature in a tight, dry container out of reach of children and pets. Do not use after the\u00a0expiration date<\/b>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"