Abilify Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience unusual shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. Moods range from extremely elevated to energized to depressive. Also known as manic-depressive illness, this condition often involves changes in sleep pattern and unusual behavior. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder – bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, and unspecified bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder, often manifesting in disabling symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Patients may also experience difficulty in understanding information and making decisions. Symptoms usually start in late teens to young adulthood.

Tourette’s disorder

Tourette’s disorder is a neurological disorder which normally starts in children aged 3-9 years. Patients usually make uncontrollable, repetitive sounds and movements. For most people, symptoms peak during their teenage years and weaken later on in life.

Autistic disorder

Autistic disorder or autism is usually diagnosed in toddlers aged 2-3 years. There are many types of autism and the symptoms may manifest with different severity in different people. Usually, people with autism experience a wide range of challenges with social skills and communication.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder which manifests in feelings of worthlessness, lack of interest in day-to-day activities and anxiety. It requires long-term treatment.

Abilify Active Ingredient

Generic Abilify Alternative: Abilify

The active ingredient in Abilify is called aripiprazole, an antipsychotic medication which helps to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Patients have a choice of buying brand name Abilify or generic alternatives. A number of safe, affordable generic alternatives to Abilify are available through our international online pharmacy.

General Drug Information

What is Abilify and What Is It Used For?

Abilify contains the active substance aripiprazole, an antipsychotic drug which helps to regulate the balance of chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, in the brain. As a result of this, Abilify is commonly prescribed to patients who suffer from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It also helps manage some symptoms of Tourette’s disorder and autism. In combination with other drugs, it is also sometimes used to treat depression.

Usage and Application

Abilify and its generic alternatives should be taken exactly as prescribed by a patient’s doctor, and the dosage depends on the patient’s condition, age, response to treatment and other medications they may be taking. Patients should discuss the full list of prescription medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor, before starting treatment with Abilify.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose with or without food. Similar drugs, also available in immediate-release tablets, can be split or crushed. However, the manufacturer recommends that Abilify is swallowed whole. Consult the treating physician or pharmacist for guidance.

Patients who take this medication in liquid form should measure doses precisely, using a special measuring device. Household spoons are not suitable for use.

To reduce the risk of negative side effects, some patients start taking this medication at a low dose, increasing it gradually. It is necessary to take Abilify regularly in order to experience its full benefit. To reduce the risk of forgetting, patients are advised to take the medication at the same time each day. It may take several weeks for patients to experience the full benefit of this medication.

Patients should continue taking Abilify even if they feel well. It is not possible to stop this medication without consulting the treating physician first. In the event the medication is stopped suddenly, patients may experience a worsening of their condition. To avoid this, it is necessary to decrease dosage gradually.

Considerations Before Taking Abilify

Before starting treatment patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Abilify or its main ingredients.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially cerebrovascular disease or history of stroke. Patients should report a family history of diabetes or any heart problems like low blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat.

The treating physician should be notified if a patient suffers from Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), sleep apnea, dementia or seizures. Swallowing problems, low white blood cell counts or history of low white blood cell counts caused by medication should also be reported.

Abilify and its generic versions may cause blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness. Patients should use caution when driving, using machinery, or performing activities requiring alertness until the effects of the medication are known. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided.

Some patients taking this medication may find that they produce less sweat, which increases the likelihood of heat stroke. On hot days, patients should drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising or performing any other activities that may cause them to overheat. Using hot tubs should also be avoided.

In the event of overheating, patients should take immediate steps to cool down and rest. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of serious overheating – mood changes, headache or dizziness – persist.

Diabetic patients should be aware that liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar.

Older adults are likely to be more sensitive to some of the negative side effects of this medication such as tardive dyskinesia, swallowing problems, seizures, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. There is an increased risk of falling.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products they are taking.

Women who are pregnant – or planning to become pregnant – should discuss the safe use of Abilify and its generic alternatives with their doctors. It is not possible to abruptly stop this medication. Untreated mood and mental problems can have serious effects. In rare cases, babies born to mothers who use this medication in their last trimester may develop symptoms such as muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, constant crying, and feeding or breathing difficulties. Parents should contact a physician immediately if they notice such symptoms in their newborn.

Abilify passes into breast milk and is not recommended for use by nursing mothers.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Abilify should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Abilify

Drug interactions may change the way Abilify works and can increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some substances, such as the heartburn medication metoclopramide (Reglan), may react negatively with Abilify.

Patients should inform their doctor if they use other products – like alcohol or marijuana – that cause drowsiness. Opioid pain or cough relievers like codeine and hydrocodone have the same effect as do drugs for sleep or anxiety such as alprazolam, lorazepam, and zolpidem. Muscle relaxants (like carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine) and antihistamines (like Zyrtec and Benadryl) have the same effect. Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that cause drowsiness and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

Adverse Reactions

Some patients may experience dizziness and lightheadedness, increasing the risk of falling. Patients should get up slowly to reduce the risk of injury from falling. Other common side effects include drowsiness, tiredness, headache, blurred vision, constipation, vomiting, and drooling. Some patients may experience weight gain or have trouble sleeping.

Patients need to inform their physician immediately should they experience seizures, fainting, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. Any trouble swallowing, restlessness in the legs, tremors or muscle spasms should also be reported. Serious side effects also include mask-like expression of the face, sleep apnea, and signs of infection like fever and persistent sore throat.

Patients should seek medical help in the event they experience difficulty in controlling urges such as gambling, sex, eating or shopping.

In rare cases, Abilify and its generic alternatives may increase blood sugar levels, a concern for diabetic patients who may need to adjust their medication and diet. Others should monitor for symptoms such as increased thirst and urination.

In some patients, there is a rare risk of developing tardive dyskinesia, which has symptoms of involuntary, repetitive body movements. In some cases, the condition may be permanent. Patients should monitor for any unusual movements, especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms or legs.

Rarely, aripiprazole may cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a very serious and possibly life-threatening condition. Patients should seek immediate medical help in the event of fever, muscle stiffness, severe tiredness, and confusion. Symptoms also include sweating, irregular heartbeat, dark urine and a change in the amount of urine produced.

Serious allergic reactions to Abilify are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

How to Store Abilify

Abilify should be stored at room temperature away from light or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.

Abilify  Coupon

Although Abilify coupons are available with other online pharmacies, customers will find that UDS prices are often much lower.