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Aripiprazole (Abilify®): Basic Information

Aripiprazole (US brand name Abilify® and generic) is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic. 

On this page, we present some basic information about this medication. Other articles on this website with more advanced information and tips related to this medication are linked to under Related Pages below.


FDA-approved indications

A. Oral

1. Schizophrenia

2. Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder

3. Adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder

4. Irritability associated with autistic disorder

5. Treatment of Tourette’s disorder

B. Injectable

Agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania


Pharmacodynamic effects

Aripiprazole has a high affinity for D2, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2A receptors and has the following effects on these receptors (DeLeon et al., 2004): 

1. Partial agonist at post-synaptic dopamine-2 (D2) receptors. This effect tends to lead to upregulation of the D2 receptors.

2. Partial agonist at pre-synaptic dopamine-2 (D2) autoreceptors. This effect tends to lead to a decrease in the synthesis and release of dopamine. 

3. Partial agonist at serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptors

4. Antagonist at serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptors


Pharmacokinetics

Aripiprazole is metabolized by two cytochrome P450 enzymes—2D6 and 3A4.


Potential side effects

Please see THIS PAGE for a handout listing both the common and less common side effects of this medication along with the percentages of patients who report them.


Dosage

Schizophrenia (adults)


Initial: 10–15 mg/day
Recommended: 10–15 mg/day
Maximum: 30 mg/day

Schizophrenia (adolescents)
Initial: 2 mg/day
Recommended: 10 mg/day
Maximum: 30 mg/day

Bipolar mania (adults: monotherapy)
Initial: 15 mg/day
Recommended: 15 mg/day
Maximum: 30 mg/day

Bipolar mania (adults: adjunct to lithium or valproate)
Initial: 10–15 mg/day
Recommended: 15 mg/day
Maximum: 30 mg/day

Bipolar mania (pediatric patients: monotherapy or as an adjunct to lithium or valproate)
Initial: 2 mg/day
Recommended: 10 mg/day
Maximum: 30 mg/day

Major depressive disorder (adults: adjunct to antidepressants)
Initial: 2–5 mg/day
Recommended: 5–10 mg/day
Maximum: 15 mg/day

Irritability associated with autistic disorder (pediatric patients)
Initial: 2 mg/day
Recommended: 5–10 mg/day
Maximum: 15 mg/day

Tourette’s disorder (patients <50 kg)
Initial: 2 mg/day
Recommended: 5 mg/day
Maximum: 10 mg/day

Tourette’s disorder (patients >50 kg)
Initial: 2 mg/day
Recommended: 10 mg/day
Maximum: 20 mg/day

Agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania (adults)

Initial: 9.75 mg/1.3 mL Injected IM

Maximum: 30 mg/day Injected IM

General Instructions

1. Oral formulations may be administered once daily without regard to meals.

2. IM injection: Wait at least 2 hours between doses. Maximum daily dose 30 mg.

Dose modification

The Prescribing Information for aripiprazole recommends using half of the usual dose of aripiprazole in known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers.

If the person is a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer and is also on a medication that is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, the Prescribing information recommends a quarter of the usual dose of aripiprazole. This is because the peak serum concentration and the “area under the curve” for aripiprazole are expected to be tripled when the person is both a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer and on a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (Prescribing Information).


Dosage forms and strengths

Tablets (Abilify® and generic): 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg

Orally disintegrating tablets (Abilify® and generic): 10 mg and 15 mg

Oral solution (generic): 1 mg/mL

Injection (Abilify®): 9.75 mg/1.3 mL single-dose vial (7.5 mg/mL)


Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Related Pages

FDA issues new warning about aripiprazole (impulse control problems)

How exactly to add aripiprazole for hyperprolactinemia with risperidone

What dose of aripiprazole as an adjunct for OCD?

Resolution of hyperglycemia after switching to aripiprazole

Can aripiprazole *worsen* psychosis?

Aripiprazole with sensor (Abilify Mycite®): Basic Information

Aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena®): Basic Information

Aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada®)

Aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada Initio™): Basic information

Aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada®) versus Aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena®)

Second-Generation (“Atypical”) Antipsychotics 

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics 

Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Dose Equivalents


References

Aripiprazole Prescribing Information

DeLeon A, Patel NC, Crismon ML. Aripiprazole: a comprehensive review of its pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and tolerability. Clin Ther. 2004 May;26(5):649-66. doi: 10.1016/s0149-2918(04)90066-5. PMID: 15220010.


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Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

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