What are Aripiprazole tablets?

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Abilify (Aripiprazole)

The doctor will need to reduce the dosage of Abilify when you take the following additional drugs:

Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Quinidine (Quinidex)

On the other hand, the dosage of Abilify should be increased when you take carbamazepine (Tegretol).

Be cautious when taking Abilify (Aripiprazole) with blood pressure medications classified as alpha-adrenergic blockers, including Hytrin and Cardura. Caution is also advised when combining Abilify with drugs that act on the brain, narcotic painkillers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, including tranquilizers, and other schizophrenia medications.

How should I take aripiprazole?

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.

Aripiprazole can be taken with or without food.

Aripiprazole is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor 's instructions.

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 (Aripiprazole) Discmelt):

• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
• 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.

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.

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

Warning!

• Consult your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms while taking this medicine: high fever, muscle stiffness, sweating, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. These symptoms may be due to a rare side effect known as the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and your treatment may need to be stopped.
  
  
• Consult your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while taking this medicine. These symptoms may be indicative of a rare side effect known as tardive dyskinesia, and your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine, or decrease your dose.
  
  
• Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should not suddenly stop taking this medicine, even if you feel better and think you don't need it any more. This is because the medicine controls the symptoms of the illness but doesn't actually cure it. This means that if you suddenly stop treatment your symptoms could come back.
  
  
• If you feel sleepy or lightheaded while taking this medicine, these side effects are likely to be made worse by drinking alcohol.
  
  
• This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
  
  

What should I watch for while taking Aripiprazole?