Get Informed: Abilify
Active Ingredient(s)
Aripiprazole
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. Its mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 9:53 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Abilify
- Aripiprazole
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has black box warnings related to increased risk of death when used in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis, and relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children and adolescents with depression.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 15 Nov 2002
- Est US Patients*
- 5,083,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Abilify or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Abilify Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Abilify used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 29,800 patients that use Abilify (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder | 64% | 
|
| Depression | 19% |
|
| Psychosis | 19% |
|
| Anxiety | 10% |
|
| Insomnia | 5% | 
|
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | 2% |
|
| Mood Disorder | 2% |
|
| Tourette's Syndrome | 2% |
|
How well does Abilify work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 29,800 users taking Abilify (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Abilify outweigh the bad things.
- 28%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Abilify.
Common Side Effects of Abilify
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 29,800 users taking Abilify (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
55% of patients experience side-effects on Abilify
16% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Abilify
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Restlessness
-
Headache
-
Weight Gain
-
Fatigue
-
Dryness
-
Tremor
-
Drowsiness
-
Shortness of Breath
-
Mood/Behavior Problems
-
Dizziness
-
Muscle Pain
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Acne, Blurred Vision, Grogginess/Confusion, Memory/Speech Problems, Nausea/Vomiting
Global Patient Feedback for Abilify (Aripiprazole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
i have been reading others comments and remembering the time my ex dr. wanted me to take the abilify. he said to take 15 mgs before bedtime. my new dr. wants me to take 10 mgs in the morning. when is abilify usually taken,i wonder. missy from GA
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-12 01:32:33
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Abilify can be taken in the evening or in the morning as long as it is taken at the same time each day. Your current doctor may have a reason for asking you to take it in the morning such as to avoid interfering with other medications or based on experience working with other patients. You should clarify the instructions with your current physician.
Posted: 2009-11-12 20:59:33
Question/Comment:
I am pi-polar 1 and i have alot of mania and get really angry really really easy and without any forethought. that is bad! my ex-dr. tried to get me to take abilify for yeas but i just kind of blew him off because he practically swore to me that there would be no involuntary facial tics-had that with navane and coginten, well,guess what,abilify can do that! i did not trust him after that and ran bi-polar for 3 years! finally had it and went to new dr. have seen her 3x -went from 5 to 10mgs abilify. iguess i will be okay but if face starts to twitch will be very unhappy. missy from GA
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-12 00:53:05
Answer/Reply:
sorry all! back again! this is missy from GA again. i also am cardiac--had a stent placed in my heart l;ast aug. not fun! well, just read recent alert on abilify----can maybe cause sudden cardiac arrest! now, ain't that just great! thimk i will run that stat by the good dr. next mon. and seee what she has to say. maybe this is why she see me about,oh,i don't know, once a week,maybe! someone please, if you can comment on this please do do. bye now, missy from GA
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-12 01:04:43
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The cardiovascular risk associated with Abilify is relatively low. However, it is a good idea for you to regularly evaluate how well Abilify is working for you and discuss the benefit versus risk in your specific case.
Posted: 2009-11-12 21:35:29
Answer/Reply:
Dear Iguard,
Today I spoke with my Dr. and she said the same thing amost that you all dis--relatively low risk. She also raised the dosage from 10 mgs to 15 mgs but, suuprisingly, I did not " blow my stack", so to speak. I almost hate to admit it but it seems to be working==I think. At least my anger lever and frustration lever have slowed down quite a pace. Plus, I let others finish their sentences! That is progress, for me,at least. before, I was rather a loose cannon. It did ,at times, get rather embarressing but I was too angry to see it. Thank you, IGuard for replying to my emails. God Bless Missy From GA
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-16 17:32:23
Answer/Reply:
Back again,iGuard,
Just also wanted to let you know that when today I brought up the heart failure risk with abilify,and she backed what you all said she gained my trust. Trust is so crucial in dr./pt. relationships! I she also onformed me that she woud be out of the office for a couple of weks but if I had an emergency go straight to the e.r. She has my mental/pshycical welfare balanced and that is a very good thing!
Bye now, Missy from GA
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-16 17:42:57
Question/Comment:
I have recently been put on Abilify. My GP put me on an antibiotic. My lower to mid back is really beginning to hurt. Has anyone else had this prob? Does anyone think it could be a reaction? Any clues or words of comfort, or even a "been thre done that" comment would be greatly apreciated. Abilify so DID NOT give me any sedation effect, or weight gain... lost 3 lbs in 5 days, and let me tell you, i been chowing down! don't know where to turn. Doc outta office for next 3 days. Please respond here or preferably to reg e-mail : tarvania@live.com
Thanks in advance for all ya'll's help,
Kimberlin
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-27 21:30:05
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Muscle stiffness, spasm and pain are reported side effects of Abilify. They are less common but they can occur. If there is no improvement, or gets worse, speak with your doctor about possibly decreasing your dose. Some antibiotics, like Cipro, can cause tendonitis, or sore and inflamed tendons. If you are having any joint or ankle pain, redness or swelling, follow up with your doctor as soon as possible.
Posted: 2009-09-30 10:16:37
Question/Comment:
my 11 year old daughter is autistic and currently on Abililfy 10mg for aggression. She was on resperdol, which she gained 65 lbs. in less that a year on. Weight is a problem for her, but we have been at least a steady weight on abilify for the past year. no weight loss but no weight gain. It has helped her aggression immensly!
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 15:49:16
Question/Comment:
I don't beleive I need this medication. my doctor insists saying it is because I have bipolar disorder. even though I already take a mood stabilizer. I am currently trying to get pregnant and do not want to be on medications that I don't need.
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-22 12:00:04
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Abilify