Get Informed: Abilify

267

Patient Comments about
Abilify

Active Ingredient(s)

Aripiprazole

What does it do?

Abilify

This product is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. Its mechanism of action is unknown.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Mar-21 2:51 AM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM

Other Names

  • Abilify
  • Aripiprazole

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
4: Elevated
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*
5,519,000
Generic Available
No
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

43

< 21

33

21-39

18

40-59

6

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.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Abilify

Abilify Safety Report

4: Elevated

The iGuard risk rating for Abilify is orange. This rating takes into account the fact that Abilify has been associated with an increased risk of diabetes, and rare movement problems. It means that Abilify should normally be used cautiously to minimize the risk of serious side effects.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Abilify interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Abilify used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 36,700 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 81% 6
Depression 35% 7
Anxiety 27% 7
Psychosis 5% 4
Insomnia 3% 5

How well does Abilify work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 36,700 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)

65 65
83%
of patients are confident that the good things about Abilify outweigh the bad things.
29%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Abilify.

Common Side Effects of Abilify

iGuard regularly polls our more than 36,700 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.

33%

33% of patients experience side-effects on Abilify

8%

8% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Abilify


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 10% Restlessness
  • 10% Muscle Pain/Cramps
  • 5% Mood/Behavior Changes
  • 5% Drowsiness
  • 5% Weight Gain
  • 5% Headache
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Hypoglycemia


Global Patient Feedback for Abilify (Aripiprazole) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Abilify for three months now and I've been feeling excellent. The first month had it's learning curve (my body getting used to the new medicine) but overall it wasn't bad except for a few joint pains and head spinning. But my mental states has improved 10 folds. I used to fight to do anything and even then often stopped before finishing now I have allot more energy and my quality of life has improved because of it. I'm even thinking of going back to the gym. I also have regained a sense of purpose, something that I had lost since the onset of the depression some ten years ago. No long lasting adverse effects except for maybe one. Has anyone else had breathing problems on this drug? I find it difficult to breathed at times since a little over a month ago and for the past two weeks it's been a daily thing.

48 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-10 13:15:16

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Abilify does not usually cause breathing issues. Perhaps there is another issue going on. Speak with your doctor, and he/she can perform a physical work-up.

Posted: 2010-02-14 11:12:00

Question/Comment:

I just started taking abilify a couple of days ago and a having trouble keeping it down. Within an hour of taking it I am nauseous and/or throwing up. Is this a side effect or an alergic reaction?
Thanks
Robin from GA

31 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-01-28 18:09:53

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Nausea and vomiting are possible side effects of Abilify. These side effects may decrease as you keep taking the medication. Also, you can try to take the Abilify right before you go to bed as this may help decrease the amount of nausea you feel. If the nausea does not decrease or gets worse, call your physician.

Posted: 2010-02-01 22:57:30

Question/Comment:

i've been on abilify for about a year. I never had cholestrol problems before, but now i have high cholesterol. My doctor says its from the abilify and that they will have to watch it closely. Is this true? I did not read that as a side effect in the pamphlet i received. I've also gained about 30 lbs since august. Could this be from the Abilify?

40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-01-25 11:34:26

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Increased cholesterol levels and weight gain have both been reported as side effects of Abilify. It is possible that the additional weight is also contributing to your high cholesterol. Please work closely with your doctor to monitor your cholesterol levels and to develop a plan to help stop the weight gain and possibly to begin losing some weight.

Posted: 2010-01-25 19:53:33

Answer/Reply:

Hello,
I've been on Abilify for a year and a half. My cholesterol is as low or lower than it's always been. I have also lost almost 50 pounds since then. I absolutely do not attribute these changes to the Abilify (which by the way worked incredibly well for the depression and to control mood swings), but I have not experienced either problem that you have from it. I had switched from Zyprexa to go on Abilify, and Zyprexa is a known weight-gainer, so I think the switch to Abilify is what helped with the weight loss, and I also think the cholesterol thing is because of the weight loss itself. Just my own experience here, but I am so glad I went on the Abilify.

53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-11 11:10:11

Question/Comment:

Dear iguard,
Have religously taken the abilify for almost 2 monthes now and am very happy to report that all seems to be going well, no side effects whatsoever. Also, I am calmer and do not " blow my stack" at the least little provocation. At this point in time I would have to give abilify an grade mark of the letter A! Thanks so much iguard and all for being here and listening. Missy from GA

55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-01-03 06:14:03

Question/Comment:

I was reading the comment about the lower to mid back pain and it's funny you mention that because I just recently started back on Abilify 10mg probably going to increase to 15mg, but anyway I tend to have a lot of lower back pain recently and can really explain why. I thought it was from sitting at the computer too much but really haven't been on the computer that much lately and still am having the discomfort. I think I will mention this to the Dr next week.....just found that to be interesting!! Thanks for the shared info!!

CDE
Scottsdale, AZ

34 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-11-26 00:45:14

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