Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication that has been on the market since 2002. Aripiprazole works by altering chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. It has been approved to treat symptoms related to schizophrenia, autism, bipolar I disorder and depression.
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme highs---also called mania---and lows---or depression---in an individual's mood. Since 2004, Drugs.com states that aripiprazole has been approved as monotherapy for manic and mixed episodes in individuals with bipolar I disorder. Manic symptoms include a decreased need for sleep, restlessness, rapid speech, grandiose thinking, impulsiveness and inappropriate behaviors. In May 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aripiprazole to be used with the mood stabilizing drugs lithium and valproate for manic and mixed episodes. The dose for adults with bipolar disorder is 15 to 30 mg once a day. In February 2008, the FDA approved aripiprazole for children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 with bipolar I disorder; the initial dose is 2 mg a day, gradually increasing to 10 mg a day, with a maximum of 30 mg a day.
Schizophrenia
Aripiprazole is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, including psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, unusual thinking and loss of interest in life. Doses for adults with schizophrenia range from 10 to 15 mg once a day but can increase to up to 30 mg once a day. In November 2007, the FDA approved aripiprazole for use in teenagers ages 13 to 17. The approval came after a six-week study showed significant improvement in 85 percent of study participants, Drugs.com states. Teenagers with schizophrenia start at 2 mg once a day and gradually increase to a maximum of 30 mg a day.
Depression
In a study published in the October 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, aripiprazole significantly relieved depression symptoms---including sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and feelings of hopelessness---in 14 out of 15 adult participants, Drugs.com reports. In 2002, the FDA approved aripiprazole as an adjunct to antidepressant medication when relief from symptoms was not achieved with antidepressants alone. The safety and efficacy for use in depression in individuals under the age of 17 has not been studied and using aripiprazole for depression relief in those younger than 17 has not been approved by the FDA. Adults with depression begin taking 2 to 5 mg once a day, with gradual increases until depression symptoms decrease. The usual dose for individuals with depression does not exceed 15 mg.
Autism
In November 2009, the FDA approved aripiprazole for the symptoms of irritability, aggression and temper tantrums in individuals ages 6 to 17 with autism; however, no clinical data exists for how long a patient in this age group can safely take aripiprazole. Abilify.com states the initial dose is 2 mg a day and is gradually increased to 5 to 10 mg a day. The maximum dose is 15 mg a day.
References
- Drugs.com: FDA Approves Abilify for Adolescent Patients With Schizophrenia
- EurekAlert: Abilify Approved for Treatment of Bipolar I Disorder in Patients 10 to 15 Years Old
- Mayo Clinic: Aripiprazole: Proper Uses
- Drugs.com: Abilify Enhances Antidepressant Response
- Abilify.com: U.S. Full Prescribing Information
