Other Brands/Names

Current brands in Indonesia include Abilify, Abilify Discmelt, and Ariski.

How It Works

Aripiprazole is commonly used to treat schizophrenia. It modulates several brain chemicals to help balance dopamine and serotonin activity, that supports the management of psychiatric diseases.

Indications

Aripiprazole is used as the treatments for these conditions, such as:

• Bipolar disorder (acute manic episode or acute mixed episode)

• Schizophrenia

• Major depressive disorder

• Tourette’s syndrome

Contraindication

• History of hypersensitivity or allergy to aripiprazole

• Breastfeeding mothers

Side Effects

Side effects are generally uncommon. Possible reactions include:

• Palpitations

• Blurred or double vision

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation

• Dry mouth, fatigue, fever

• Tremors, dizziness, headache

Types

Aripiprazole is available as:

• Tablets: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg

• Injection: 10 mg/vial; 7.5 mg/mL; 9.75 mg/1.3 mL; 1 mg/mL

Dosage

Purpose: Bipolar disorder

• Adults: The initial dose is 15 mg once daily. The dose may be increased based on patient's response to the drug, up to 30 mg daily.

• Children (10–17 years old): The initial dose is 2 mg daily for 2 days, then 5 mg daily for the next 2 days; recommended dose is 10 mg daily.

Purpose: Schizophrenia

• Adults: Start 10–15 mg once daily; the dose can be increased up to 30 mg daily as needed.

• Children (13–17 years old): 2 mg daily for 2 days, then 5 mg daily for the next 2 days, then 10 mg daily.

Purpose: Tourette’s syndrome

Children (6–18 years old):

• <50 kg: 2 mg daily for 2 days, then 5 mg daily, then increase to 10 mg daily based on response.
• 50 kg: 2 mg daily for 2 days, then 5 mg daily for 5 days; on day 8 increase to 10 mg daily, then up to a maximum of 20 mg daily.

Safety

Pregnancy:

FDA category C. Animal studies show adverse fetal effects, and adequate human studies are lacking. Consider potential benefits versus risks and use caution in pregnant patients.

Drug Interactions

Concomitant use of aripiprazole with azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole) may increase aripiprazole serum levels and increase the risks of side effects; combined use of treatments with aripiprazole requires medical supervision.

Read more articles about drugs here Drug A-Z.