Aripiprazole Indication.
For the treatment of schizophrenia.
Aripiprazole Contraindications.
Aripiprazole is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the product.
Aripiprazole Prescription.
Aripiprazole is prescribed to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions). It is also used to treat episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited, or irritated mood) or mixed episodes (symptoms of mania and depression that happen together) in patients with bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Aripiprazole is in a class of prescription called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic prescription used for the treatment of schizophrenia. It has also recently received FDA approval for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Aripiprazole appears to mediate its antipsychotic effects primarily by partial agonism at the D2 receptor. In addition to partial agonist activity at the D2 receptor, aripiprazole is also a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor, and like the other atypical antipsychotics, aripiprazole displays an antagonist profile at the 5-HT2A receptor. Aripiprazole has moderate affinity for histamine and alpha adrenergic receptors, and no appreciable affinity for cholinergic muscarinic receptors.
How should Aripiprazole be used?
Aripiprazole comes as a tablet, a solution (liquid), and an orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take aripiprazole at around the same time every day.
Aripiprazole is a psychotropic agent belonging to the chemical class of benzisoxazole derivatives and is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole is a selective monoaminergic antagonist with high affinity for the serotonin Type 2 (5HT2), dopamine Type 2 (D2), 1 and 2 adrenergic, and H1 histaminergic receptors. Aripiprazole acts as an antagonist at other receptors, but with lower potency. Antagonism at receptors other than dopamine and 5HT2 with similar receptor affinities may explain some of the other therapeutic and side effects of Aripiprazole. Aripiprazole's antagonism of histamine H1 receptors may explain the somnolence observed with Aripiprazole. Aripiprazole's antagonism of adrenergic a1 receptors may explain the orthostatic hypotension observed with Aripiprazole.
Do not try to push the orally disintegrating tablet through the foil. Instead, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it on your tongue. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed without liquid. If necessary, liquid can be used to take the orally disintegrating tablet. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of aripiprazole and increase your dose after at least 2 weeks.
Aripiprazole may help control your symptoms, but will not cure your condition. It may take 2 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of aripiprazole.
Aripiprazole side effects.
- changes in vision
- chest pain
- confusion
- constipation
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- headache
- heartburn
- high fever
- hives
- increased salivation
- itching
- joint pain
- lightheadedness
- loss of appetite
- muscle stiffness
- nausea
- nervousness
- rash
- restlessness
- seizures
- slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
- stomach pain
- sweating
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- unusual movements of your body or face that you cannot control
- weight gain
