Abilify, or aripiprazole, is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar mania. In November of 2002, the FDA approved the use of Abilify as adjunct therapy to antidepressants in individuals with depression who have not found relief with antidepressants alone. The safety and efficacy of Abilify for depression has not been established in children under the age of 17 and is not approved for use in this age group. Drugs.com states that in a study published in the October 2005 issue of "The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry," 14 out of 15 patients who added Abilify responded to treatment and had a decrease in depression symptoms.
Mechanism of Action
The exact mechanism of how Abilify works is not known, the National Institutes of Health states. In depression, certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, are unbalanced. It is thought that Abilify works by altering and adjusting the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. When Abilify is taken in combination with antidpressants such as escitalopram oxalate, paroxetine, venlafaxine and sertraline, depression symptoms decrease.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Abilify include fatigue, headache, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, weakness, blurred vision and difficulties in swallowing. These side effects are not life-threatening and may go away as the body adjusts to the medication. Abilify can cause weight gain; however, Stanford School of Medicine states this side effect is less common than with other antipsychotic medications. Serious side effects include seizures, pancreatitis, decreased white blood cell count and urinary problems. These side effects are rare, but patients taking Abilify should be carefully monitored by a doctor to minimize the chance of developing serious side effects.
Dosage
According to the Mayo Clinic, the dose of medication taken will be different for each person. For depression, adults typically take 2 to 5mg once a day and slowly increase the dose until a therapeutic dose is achieved, usually no more than 15mg once a day.
Warnings
Abilify should never be combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, including medicines for colds or allergies, benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, seizure medications or prescription pain medication without first consulting a doctor. Combining Abilify with the above substances and medications could increase the chance of becoming drowsy or less alert.
Abilify has a black boxed warning for increased mortality in elderly patients with a history of psychosis and can increase suicidal thinking and behavior in children and young adults.
Tardive Dyskinesia
There is a chance of developing tardive dyskinesia while taking Abilify. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that tardive dyskinesia is a condition characterized by involuntary and repetitive movements of the mouth, legs, arms or legs and can manifest as facial grimacing, lip smacking, jerking of the limbs and a protruding tongue. Tardive dyskensia can remain from weeks to years after discontinuing Abilify and is often irreversible.
