Abilify (aripiprazole), an anti-psychotic medication, is used to treat symptoms of bipolar disease and schizophrenia in adults and children. Abilify works on the neurotransmitter dopamine's receptors, increasing dopamine output when levels are low and decreasing them when output is high, the Stanford School of Medicine says. Abilify can cause a variety of side effects, some of which may be severe.
Central Nervous System
Abilify may cause undesirable mood changes and central nervous system effects. Headaches occur in 27 percent of people taking the drug, according to eMedTV. Common mood changes in people taking Abilify are sedation (which affects 23 percent, according to eMedTV), agitation (19 percent), anxiety (17 percent) and drowsiness, found in 16 percent. Restlessness may occur in 12 percent of people on Abilify. Suicidal thoughts are rare but should be reported to your medical practitioner immediately.
Extrapyramidal
Extrapyramidal effects are symptoms that occur in people taking antipsychotic medications. These occur in 20 percent of people on Abilify, Drugs.com says, and include tremors (12 percent), restless repetitive movements known as akathisia (13 percent), and abnormal coordination, movements and muscle tone (1 percent). Tardive dyskinesia, involuntary grimacing movements that may become permanent even after the medication is stopped, may occur, Stanford says.
Gastrointestinal
Abilify can affect the GI tract in a number of ways. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting (approximately 15 percent, eMedTV says) and constipation (11 percent). Weight gain, heartburn, abdominal pain, dry mouth and throat pain occurred in 2 percent to 10 percent of people, eMedTV says.
Other Side Effects
Abilify also increases the chance of developing diabetes. In clinical trials, between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 people developed diabetes while taking the drug, eMedTV says. Contributing factors may be weight gain, which occurs in 3 percent of people, and an overall increased rate of diabetes among people with schizophrenia. Blurred vision occurs in 8 percent of people, and cardiac symptoms such as a fast pulse and high blood pressure occur in 1 percent to 2 percent.
Life-Threatening
Life-threatening side effects occur rarely in people taking Abilify, but do occur. One dangerous potential side effect is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which includes fever, muscle breakdown, irregular blood pressure and pulse and rapid heartbeat. High blood sugar related to diabetes may cause a severe diabetic reaction with ketoacidosis and coma, Drugs.com says.
Allergic reaction can occur with any medication and can be severe to the point of life-threatening. Signs of severe allergic reaction include hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, turning blue, dizziness or collapse. Severe allergic reactions demand immediate medical attention.
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