Abilify for Depression, Anxiety & Bipolar Disorder

Drugs Health News

Mood disorders like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are common nowadays among adults. Those suffering from such psychotic conditions have difficulty recognizing reality.

Thankfully, symptoms of psychotic conditions are manageable with medication, therapy, or both. Antipsychotics are one of the effective medicines for patients suffering from anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

One of the antipsychotic drugs that commonly doctors prescribe is Abilify. Further, in this article, we will be learning about Abilify, its use, working, side effects, dosage, and cost.

What is Abilify (Aripiprazole)?

Abilify is the brand name of a generic psychotropic drug named Aripiprazole. The trademark is owned by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company of Tokyo, Japan.

Its distributing and marketing authorization holder is Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. of the USA.

Abilify is a prescription medicine containing the active ingredient Aripiprazole. Aripiprazole is chemically designated as 7-[4-[4-(2,3dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl] butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril. Abilify Generic is sold under the name Aripiprazole.

Abilify is available in the form of tablets of strength 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg.

What is Abilify used for?

The Food and Drug Administration approves Abilify oral formulation for managing the symptoms of the following psychotic conditions:

  • Schizophrenia: It is a serious, chronic mental illness characterized by disorganized thinking, delusions, and hallucinations. Abilify is prescribed for adolescent and adult patients needing treatment for schizophrenia.
  • Anxiety and Depression: Anxiety is characterized by considerable distressed feelings and makes the patient unable to lead a normal, healthy life. Depression is a feeling of intense sadness and hopelessness for long periods. Abilify is prescribed to adults with major depressive disorder as an adjunctive treatment.
  • Bipolar disorder: is characterized by significant and persistent mood swings ranging from manic/hypomanic episodes to depressive episodes, affecting energy, activity, and concentration. Abilify is prescribed either alone or in combination with other mood stabilizer medicines to adults and children at least 10 years old and suffering from bipolar 1 disorder.
  • Autistic disorder: It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how one perceives and interacts with others. Abilify is prescribed to manage symptoms like irritability, mood swings, temper tantrums, aggression, and suicidal thoughts.
  • Tourette’s disorder: It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive or involuntary movements or sounds called tics, typically beginning in childhood. Abilify helps manage symptoms in pediatric patients aged at least 6 years.

How does Abilify work in the brain?

Abilify (Aripiprazole) belongs to the pharmacological class of atypical (Second Generation) antipsychotics.

Abilify goes and binds to receptors—the binding sites—in the brain and works by altering the action of certain brain chemicals—serotonin and dopamine.

Serotonin and dopamine are the neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers, that have a major role in regulating thoughts, mood, and behaviors.

Serotonin is commonly referred to as a happy hormone, as it helps lighten the mood and even help with other bodily functions.

Abilify activates 5 HT1A, a serotonin receptor in the brain, and can even block another serotonin receptor, 5 HT2A. It helps regulate the serotonin level.

Dopamine has a crucial role in the brain’s reward system. It influences the feelings of pressure, motivation, and movement and is even involved in various other bodily functions.

Abilify goes and binds to several dopamine receptors in the brain and blocks or boosts the dopamine effect.

Abilify for Depression: Can it be used as an antidepressant?

Abilify is itself an antipsychotic medicine that can be used as an add-on medicine with other antidepressants to treat depression. It is prescribed only when antidepressants alone are not helping relieve depression.

Abilify can benefit depressed people by balancing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in their brains.

  • Abilify for Anxiety

When one experiences anxiety, adrenaline, and cortisol hormones are high while serotonin, dopamine, and GABA are imbalanced. Abilify helps increase the serotonin effect and balance dopamine, which regulates mood, thus reducing anxiety.

  • Abilify for Bipolar Disorder

Abilify can balance serotonin levels to manage depressive episodes and improve extreme irritability or an elevated mood (mania) by regulating dopamine levels.

Side Effects of Abilify

The use of Abilify in normal doses by patients suffering from anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder is generally completely safe if taken with a doctor’s prescription and as per the doctor’s directions or advice.

However, side effects are still a possibility. But not every patient experiences them. Most of the unwanted effects are mild and temporary, and rarely, the effects are serious, requiring prompt medical attention.

Some of the commonly reported Abilify side effects include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Stomach issues: nausea, vomiting, or constipation
  • Changes in appetite
  • Increased saliva or drooling
  • Choking or difficulty swallowing
  • Uncontrolled muscle movements, anxiety, shaking, or restless feeling
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Cold symptoms like sore throat, sneezing, and stuffy nose
  • Headache, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, or drowsiness.

Some of the serious side effects of taking Abilify that require prompt medical help include:

  • Speech problems
  • Mask-like appearance on the face
  • Signs of anemia
  • Signs of hyperglycemia
  • Signs of severe nervous system reaction
  • Seizures (convulsions)
  • Severe distress, agitation, or restlessness
  • Intense urges
  • Signs of allergic reactions
  • Uncontrollable movements/twitching of the eyes, arms, legs, face, or tongue.

Abilify can have more possible side effects; talk to a doctor to get more details and even medical advice about side effects.

To avoid serious side effects of Abilify, the patient should even take the following precautions:

  • Take the medicine as directed by a doctor.
  • If you missed a dose, do not go beyond the daily recommended dosage to make up for it.
  • Avoid taking this medication if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding.
  • Make sure that Abilify is safe for use by informing the doctor about existing allergies, current intake of medications or supplements, and illnesses (if any).
  • Avoid alcohol consumption when on the course of Abilify.
  • Avoid overexerting/overheating the body. Drink adequate water daily, as Abilify can cause increased sensitivity to hot conditions.
  • Avoid driving, abruptly changing positions, or operating any machinery, as Abilify may cause dizziness or drowsiness.

Maintain a healthy diet as usual unless your doctor recommends any dietary modifications.

Abilify Dosage Guide: Finding the right amount

Take Abilify exactly as told by the prescribing doctor. If unsure about how to take Abilify for relieving psychosis, check with the prescribing doctor or pharmacist.

Abilify oral formulations are recommended to be taken once daily with or without food.

The minimum to maximum dosages for Abilify include:

  • Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: 2 mg to 15 mg
  • Bipolar (Mania) in Adults; Monotherapy: 15 mg to 30 mg
  • Bipolar (Mania) in Adults; Adjunct Therapy: 10 mg to 30 mg
  • Bipolar (Mania) in Children: 2 mg to 30 mg
  • Schizophrenia in Adults: 10 mg to 30 mg
  • Schizophrenia in Adolescents: 2 mg to 30 mg
  • Autistic Disorder in Children: 2 mg to 15 mg
  • Tourette’s Disorder:
    • Patients < 50 kg: 2 mg to 10 mg
    • Patients ≥ 50 kg: 2 mg to 20 mg

Abilify Cost: Why is Abilify so Expensive?

The price of Abilify is variable, influenced by factors like:

  • The treatment plan- the quantity of supply
  • The chosen pharmacy
  • The availability of a financial assistance/savings program.

In general, Abilify is expensive as it is a brand-name prescription medication that goes through price fixing by drug manufacturers, suppliers, and pharmacists.

Drug research and development and advertising all add up to the final cost. To know the exact cost of Abilify for your purchase, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Abilify is available for purchase at the best, most competitive prices at online pharmacies. If you are searching for a pharmacy offering reasonably priced Abilify, visit MedsEngage and buy Abilify online.

With an online pharmacy like MedsEngage, you can have long-term savings on the purchase of Abilify and get the medicine delivered to your home at the best Abilify cost.

Some Medicare plans may even cover the price of online-ordered medications like Abilify.

FAQs

How long does Abilify take to work?

Abilify in oral form can start showing the desired effect within 1-2 weeks. Full effects typically are experienced after taking the medicine for 2-3 months.

Can Abilify be combined with other medications?

It’s advised to check about the safety of combining Abilify with other drugs and supplements with the prescribing doctor before starting the treatment course. The potential drug interactions are seen with strong CYP3A4 inducers/inhibitors, strong CYP2D6 inhibitors, certain antidepressants, hypertension drugs, certain antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and many more.

Does Abilify cause weight gain?

Yes, weight gain is a potential side effect of taking Abilify. However, the extent of weight gain is less than other antipsychotics and is influenced by the patient’s genetics, lifestyle, and metabolism.

Is Abilify addictive or habit-forming?

Clinical studies reveal no misuse or dependence in the people taking Abilify. However, compulsive intake of Abilify for long periods or taking higher doses of Abilify than prescribed can lead to addiction.

How should I safely discontinue Abilify?

To avoid side effects, discontinue intake of Abilify by reducing the dosage gradually under the guidance of the prescribing doctor.

Can Abilify be used by children or adolescents?

Yes. Abilify is FDA-cleared for treating irritability associated with autistic disorder and acute, maintenance treatment of bipolar 1 disorder or Schizophrenia in children or adolescents.

Is Abilify safe for long-term use?

Some psychotic conditions like Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder need long-term treatment. Using Abilify medicine for the long term may lead to potential risks like weight gain, diabetes, high triglycerides, tardive dyskinesia, and high cholesterol.

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