Aripiprazole
About Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic, which is primarily used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness) and bipolar I disorder (manic depression). Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that impairs a person's ability to feel, think, and behave clearly. Bipolar I disorder is a mental illness characterised by extreme mood swings that range from manic highs to depressive lows.
Aripiprazole contains Aripiprazole, which stabilises the activity of dopamine (chemical messenger). Aripiprazole inhibits the dopamine receptors in the brain and prevents its overactivity. Thus, it helps in controlling the positive symptoms (such as hallucinations, misbelief, and unfriendliness) of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole improves the activity of dopamine receptors in other areas of the brain and helps in controlling negative symptoms (such as lack of emotion, social isolation, poor attention, and memory loss) of schizophrenia.
Aripiprazole will be administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer. Some people may experience drowsiness, headache, tiredness, weight gain, difficulty sitting still, dry mouth, pain or skin hardening at the injection site, difficulty in sleeping, and shaking. Most of these side effects of Aripiprazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Aripiprazole or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Aripiprazole. Aripiprazole is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Aripiprazole as it may increase blood sugar levels. Please contact a doctor immediately if you have any self-harming thoughts or behaviour while taking Aripiprazole.
Uses of Aripiprazole
Medicinal Benefits
Aripiprazole contains Aripiprazole, an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness), and bipolar I disorder (manic depression). Aripiprazole prevents dopamine overactivity by inhibiting dopamine receptors in the brain. As a result, it aids in the control of positive symptoms of schizophrenia (such as hallucinations, delusions, and unfriendliness). Aripiprazole increases dopamine receptor activity in other areas of the brain and aids in the control of negative symptoms of schizophrenia (such as social isolation, lack of emotion, poor attention, and memory loss). As a result, Aripiprazole improves behaviour, thoughts, and social life, as well as the ability to perform daily activities comfortably.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Aripiprazole
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Difficulty sitting still
- Dry mouth
- Pain or skin hardening at the injection site
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Shaking
Drug Warnings
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Aripiprazole or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Aripiprazole. Aripiprazole is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. Please contact a doctor immediately if you have any self-harming thoughts or behaviour while taking Aripiprazole. If you develop impulse control disorders such as excessive eating, spending, addictive gambling, or abnormally high sex drive, inform your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately or are advised to stop taking Aripiprazole.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Aripiprazole may interact with antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole), anti-HIV drugs (nevirapine, efavirenz, indinavir, ritonavir), anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin), medicines used to lower high blood pressure, antidepressants (fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, tryptophan, amitriptyline, clomipramine), painkillers (tramadol, pethidine), antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine) and medicines used to treat migraine (zolmitriptan, sumatriptan).
Drug-Food Interaction: Aripiprazole may interact with grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit juice with Aripiprazole as it may reduce the effect of Aripiprazole. Avoid taking St. John's Wort (herbal medicine used to treat depression) as it may interact with Aripiprazole. Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have diabetes, abnormal blood pressure, fits, involuntary muscle movements, especially in the face, dementia (memory loss), blood clots, a history of stroke, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Aripiprazole.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Aripiprazole because it may increase your risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or difficulty concentrating.
Pregnancy
cautionAripiprazole is a Category C pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during the third trimester of pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects in the foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Aripiprazole.
Breast Feeding
cautionAripiprazole may be excreted in breast milk and harm your baby. Hence, inform your doctor before receiving this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionAripiprazole may cause dizziness, drowsiness or vision problems such as blurred vision. Therefore, avoid driving if you notice any of these symptoms after taking Aripiprazole.
Liver
cautionIf you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Aripiprazole. Your doctor may adjust the dose of Aripiprazole or may prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Aripiprazole. Your doctor may adjust the dose of Aripiprazole or may prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeAripiprazole is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Limit the intake of caffeine as it may reduce the effectiveness of Aripiprazole.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eat more fish, especially oily fish such as salmon, sardines, trout, mackerel, pilchards and herring.
- Cut down the sugars, salt and saturated fats.
- Drink adequate water to keep the body hydrated.
- Do regular exercise and maintain a stable weight as Aripiprazole may cause weight gain.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.
Special Advise
- Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in elderly patients (above 65 years of age) with dementia (memory loss and confusion).
- If you have symptoms of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) such as stiff muscles, sweating, changes in heart rate, pulse and blood pressure, confusion or high fever, inform your doctor immediately.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Aripiprazole as it may increase blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: It is a mental disorder that affects the ability of a person to feel, think and behave clearly. The symptoms include hallucinations, thought or movement disorders, delusions (misbelief), lack of emotion, sleep problems, isolating oneself from family and friends, and difficulty in doing daily activities.
Bipolar I disorder: It is also known as manic depression, a mental disorder characterised by extreme mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. The symptoms of bipolar disorder include mania (high energy and excitability) and depression (loss of interest, hopelessness, low energy). Bipolar disorder involves lifelong treatment.
FAQs
Aripiprazole belongs to a class of medicines called antiretroviral medications. When combined with other antiretroviral drugs, it helps treat chronic viral infections (HIV and covid-19).
Aripiprazole contains Aripiprazole, an antipsychotic that works by inhibiting the dopamine receptors in the brain and prevents its overactivity. Thus, it helps in controlling the positive symptoms (such as hallucinations, misbelief and unfriendliness) of schizophrenia. Also, Aripiprazole improves the activity of dopamine receptors in other areas of the brain and helps in controlling negative symptoms (such as social isolation, lack of emotion, poor attention and memory loss) of schizophrenia.
Aripiprazole may cause weight gain in some patients, but this is not a guarantee that everyone who takes Aripiprazole will experience this side effect. However, to avoid gaining weight while taking Aripiprazole, you should exercise regularly and avoid high-calorie drinks. Instead, opt for nonalcoholic beverages such as herbal tea and lemon water.
Aripiprazole is not recommended for patients with dementia (loss of memory or other mental abilities), particularly the elderly, because it can have serious side effects, including stroke. As a result, before taking Aripiprazole, consult your doctor if you have dementia or a history of stroke.
Yes, Aripiprazole can result in high blood sugar levels. As a result, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised while taking Aripiprazole, and you should notify your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Aripiprazole. However, if you have a dry mouth, increased thirst or urination, or a fruity breath odour, you should see a doctor immediately because these are high blood sugar symptoms.
Aripiprazole should be used with caution in patients suffering from fits as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have a history of fits before taking Aripiprazole.
