Saturday 5 May 2012

aripiprazole



ar-i-PIP-ra-zole


Oral route(Tablet;Tablet, Disintegrating;Solution)

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Aripiprazole is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Short term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24, and there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. This risk must be balanced with the clinical need. Monitor patients closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Not approved for use in pediatric patients with depression .



Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.


  • Abilify

  • Abilify Discmelt

Available Dosage Forms:


  • Tablet

  • Tablet, Disintegrating

  • Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic


Uses For aripiprazole


Aripiprazole is used to treat nervous, emotional, and mental conditions (e.g., schizophrenia). It may be used alone or together with other medicines (e.g., lithium or valproate) for the acute or maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive illness). Additionally, it may be used together with other medicines for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It is also used to treat irritability in children 6 to 17 years of age with autistic disorder. aripiprazole should not be used to treat behavioral problems in older adult patients who have dementia or Alzheimer's disease.


aripiprazole is available only with your doctor's prescription.


Before Using aripiprazole


In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For aripiprazole, the following should be considered:


Allergies


Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aripiprazole or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.


Pediatric


Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of aripiprazole in children with schizophrenia younger than 13 years of age and in children with bipolar disorder younger than 10 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established in these age groups.


Aripiprazole is not approved for use in children or teenagers with major depression.


Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of aripiprazole in children with autistic disorder 6 to 17 years of age.


Geriatric


Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of aripiprazole in elderly patients who have schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder.


Pregnancy








Pregnancy CategoryExplanation
All TrimestersCAnimal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding


There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.


Interactions with Medicines


Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking aripiprazole, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.


Using aripiprazole with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.


  • Metoclopramide

Using aripiprazole with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.


  • Hydromorphone

  • Milnacipran

Using aripiprazole with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.


  • Carbamazepine

  • Clarithromycin

  • Ketoconazole

  • Quinidine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol


Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.


Other Medical Problems


The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of aripiprazole. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


  • Alcohol abuse, history of or

  • Depression or

  • Drug abuse or dependence, history of or

  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), history of or

  • Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

  • Blood vessel disease or

  • Dehydration or

  • Heart attack or stroke, history of or

  • Heart disease or

  • Heart failure or

  • Heart rhythm problems or

  • Hypotension (low blood pressure) or

  • Hypovolemia (decrease in blood volume) or

  • Ischemic heart disease, history of or

  • Trouble with swallowing—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.

  • Diabetes, or family history of or

  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)—aripiprazole may raise your blood sugar levels.

  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The orally disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine, which can make this condition worse.

Proper Use of aripiprazole


Take aripiprazole exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.


aripiprazole should come with a Medication Guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.


If you are using the orally disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Do not break or split the tablet. Place the tablet in your mouth. It should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, you may swallow or take a sip of water.


Swallow the tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.


Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.


Aripiprazole may be taken with or without food. If your doctor tells you to take it a certain way, follow your doctor's instructions.


Dosing


The dose of aripiprazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of aripiprazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.


The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.


  • For bipolar mania:
    • For oral dosage forms (tablets and orally disintegrating tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 15 milligrams (mg) once a day. When it is given with lithium or valproate, the starting dose is 10 to 15 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.

      • Children 10 years of age and older—At first, 2 mg once a day. The dose will be gradually increased to 10 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose again as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.

      • Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.



  • For depression:
    • For oral dosage forms (tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and solution):
      • Adults—At first, 2 to 5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg per day.

      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.



  • For irritability in children with autistic disorder:
    • For oral dosage forms (tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and solution):
      • Children 6 to 17 years of age—At first, 2 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg per day.

      • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.



  • For schizophrenia:
    • For oral dosage forms (tablets and orally disintegrating tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.

      • Teenagers 13 to 17 years of age—At first, 2 mg once a day. The dose will be gradually increased to 10 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose again as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg per day.

      • Children younger than 13 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.



Missed Dose


If you miss a dose of aripiprazole, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.


Storage


Keep out of the reach of children.


Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.


Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.


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


Opened bottles of the oral liquid can be used for up to 6 months after opening, but not beyond the expiration date on the bottle.


Precautions While Using aripiprazole


It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and to make sure aripiprazole is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.


For some patients, aripiprazole can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or has tried to commit suicide.


aripiprazole may add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicines for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines; prescription pain medicines or narcotics; medicines for seizures or barbiturates; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any CNS depressants while you or your child are taking aripiprazole.


Aripiprazole may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, or trouble with controlling movements. Make sure you know how you react to aripiprazole before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.


Stop taking aripiprazole and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while using aripiprazole: convulsions (seizures); difficulty with breathing; a fast heartbeat; a high fever; high or low blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; severe muscle stiffness; unusually pale skin; or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).


aripiprazole may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) especially in elderly women. Stop using aripiprazole and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while taking aripiprazole: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.


Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.


aripiprazole may make it more difficult for your body to cool down. It might reduce how much you sweat. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might have an upset stomach or vomit. Call your doctor if drinking cool water and moving away from the heat does not cool you down.


aripiprazole may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Also, the oral liquid form contains sugar. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.


aripiprazole can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.


aripiprazole may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your or your child's weight on a regular basis while you are using aripiprazole.


Do not change the dose or stop taking aripiprazole without checking first with your doctor.


Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines) and herbal or vitamin supplements.


aripiprazole Side Effects


Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.


Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:


More common
  • Difficulty with speaking

  • drooling

  • loss of balance control

  • muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

  • restlessness

  • shuffling walk

  • stiffness of the limbs

  • twisting movements of the body

  • uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Less common
  • Blurred vision

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • inability to move the eyes

  • increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid

  • nervousness

  • pounding in the ears

  • slow or fast heartbeat

  • sticking out the tongue

  • trouble with breathing or swallowing

  • unusual facial expressions

Rare
  • Convulsions

  • fast heartbeat

  • high fever

  • high or low blood pressure

  • increased sweating

  • lip smacking or puckering

  • loss of bladder control

  • muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

  • puffing of the cheeks

  • rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue

  • severe muscle stiffness

  • sudden loss of consciousness

  • tiredness

  • uncontrolled chewing movements

  • uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs

  • unusually pale skin

Incidence not known
  • Hives or welts

  • itching skin

  • itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

  • redness of the skin

  • shortness of breath

  • skin rash

  • tightness in the chest

  • unusual tiredness or weakness

  • wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:


Symptoms of overdose
  • Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)

  • diarrhea

  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

  • increased sensitivity of the eyes to light

  • lack or loss of strength

  • nausea

  • sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

  • vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:


More common
  • Acid or sour stomach

  • anxiety

  • belching

  • blurred vision

  • difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

  • dry mouth

  • fear

  • fever

  • headache

  • heartburn

  • hyperventilation

  • inability to sit still

  • indigestion

  • irritability

  • lightheadedness

  • need to keep moving

  • nervousness

  • rash

  • runny nose

  • shaking

  • sleeplessness

  • sore throat

  • stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

  • trouble sleeping

  • unable to sleep

  • weight gain

Less common
  • Accidental injury

  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

  • body aches or pain

  • congestion

  • coughing

  • difficulty with moving

  • dryness or soreness of throat

  • hoarseness

  • increased appetite

  • increased salivation

  • joint pain

  • muscle aching or cramping

  • muscle pains or stiffness

  • rapid weight gain

  • sneezing

  • stuffy nose

  • swollen joints

  • tender, swollen glands in the neck

  • tingling of the hands or feet

  • tremor

  • unusual weight gain or loss

  • voice changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.


Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: aripiprazole side effects (in more detail)



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More aripiprazole resources


  • Aripiprazole Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Aripiprazole Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Aripiprazole Drug Interactions
  • Aripiprazole Support Group
  • 211 Reviews for Aripiprazole - Add your own review/rating


  • Abilify Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Abilify Consumer Overview

  • Abilify Discmelt Orally Disintegrating Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

  • Aripiprazole Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

  • Aripiprazole MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

  • Aripiprazole Monograph (AHFS DI)



Compare aripiprazole with other medications


  • Agitated State
  • Autism
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Depression
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Tourette's Syndrome

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