Psychiatrists prescribe Abilify (aripiprazole) to treat a variety of psychological conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, Abilify 10 mg tablets can cause a wide range of side effects, some of them rare, but quite serious. Understanding the side effects can aid in deciding whether or not to take Abilify.
Black Box Warning
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires some prescription medications to carry a black box warning on the package insert, a warning indicating that studies show a significant risk of serious and possibly life-threatening side effects. All antidepressants carry a black box warning about the increased risk for suicide in children and adolescents. Abilify carries this warning because it can be used as an adjunct therapy for depression, though it is not technically an antidepressant. Abilify's black box warning also includes a warning about increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Suicidal, Diabetic and Coronary Effects
The primary risk of taking Abilify is an increase in suicidal thinking and behavior. Nervousness, agitation, panic attacks, sleeplessness, irritability, aggressiveness and other mood changes may indicate an increased risk of suicidal behavior. Diabetics taking Abilify 10 mg should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels, as elevated blood sugar may occur when taking Abilify. Irregular heart rate, heart palpitations or sudden changes in body temperature can signal a serious side effect that requires medical attention. Similarly, anyone experiencing involuntary movements, seizures or an inability to swallow while taking Abilify should contact his prescribing doctor immediately.
Adults
The most common side effects in adults using Abilify include restlessness, headache, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety and gastrointestinal symptoms. Less-common side effects include weight gain, movement disorders, tremors, muscle pain, blurred vision and sedation. Headache and symptoms of restlessness and agitation occurred much more frequently than any other side effects.
Children
Few antipsychotic drugs are approved for use in children, as Abilify is. Pediatric side effects commonly encountered include movement disorders, headache, sleepiness and tremors. Restlessness, fatigue, nausea and blurred vision occur slightly less commonly. Movement disorders, also called extrapyramidal disorders, span a range of neurological disorders characterized by muscle movement disturbances.
Function
Abilify 10 mg was developed to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It later gained approval to treat bipolar I disorder. Psychiatrists sometimes prescribe Abilify as an adjunct treatment with an antidepressant for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Children with autism who suffer autism-related irritability show improvement from treatment with Abilify, which also is used to treat agitation associated with schizophrenia or mania.
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