Abilify
(aripiprazole)
●●●●●
3.2/ 5 average rating with 252 reviewsforAbilify
Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
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Our bottom line
Abilify (aripiprazole) is good for treating psychosis and mania, and can help with depression. It's less likely to cause side effects than other antipsychotics.
Quick facts about Abilify
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (aripiprazole)
Upsides
- Effective at relieving psychotic symptoms and manic episodes.
- More energizing than other antipsychotics.
- Fewer side effects than other antipsychotics.
- Studies show that it can also be helpful for depression, especially in women, if your symptoms don't go away with an antidepressant alone.
- Available as a generic, which is cheaper.
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What to expect from Abilify, on one page
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252Downsides
- Mild risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), a movement disorder that includes stiffness, tremor, restlessness, and slow, repetitive, or involuntary movements.
- You might need routine blood tests to check how the medicine is affecting your body.
- All antipsychotics come with side effects that make them difficult to take. You might need to try a few different medicines until you find the one that works for you and that you can tolerate.
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What to expect from Abilify, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow it works
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic. It stabilizes dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain to help control your thoughts and affect mood.
Quick facts about Abilify
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (aripiprazole)
Used for
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder
- Depression
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Injection
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 1 (3.2ml-of-882mg) syringe of aripiprazole near
- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$2634.76
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$2649.75
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Abilify (aripiprazole) for Psychiatric conditions
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Possible side effects
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Headache
- Stomach problems
- Agitation
- Uncontrolled movements
Side effect rates for Abilify (aripiprazole)
From 1670 clinical trials of Abilify when taken for bipolar i disorder (mania)
- Restlessness13%13%4%4%
- Sedation8%8%3%3%
- Tremor6%6%3%3%
- Difficulty controlling movements5%5%2%2%
0%
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30%
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80%
Where we got our data »
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Abilify.
Abilify (aripiprazole)
Placebo
People taking Abilify felt side effect more
People taking Abilify felt side effect less
No difference
Risks and Warnings for Abilify (aripiprazole)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Elderly patients with dementia
Older patients with dementia-related psychosis have a higher risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medications. Abilify (aripiprazole) is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Pharmacist Q&A
Abilify (aripiprazole) questions for
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats depression in adults for whom antidepressants alone do not provide sufficient relief.Common concerns from people taking Abilify (aripiprazole)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Price
- Not worth itSome hassleReviewed Abilifyon 8/26/2017Definitely not worthwhile for the price as a brand name. Less likely to have side effects doesn't mean it won't.25ManA few monthsDepression
Sleep
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Abilifyon 12/3/2016Caused me excessive tiredness. But effective for controlling thoughts and mood. No appetite change, and no ortho static hypotension unlike Seroquel/Quetiapine, Risperdal/Risperidone22ManSchizophrenia
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Abilifyon 9/14/2016It made me sleepy during the day, I think, due to blood sugar fluctuations. I would recommend being aware of the amount of sugar/simple carbs you eat. Fiber is a good thing, too--high fiber foods can help.35WomanDepression
Weight
- Abilify (aripiprazole) can make you gain weight, which can also increase your blood sugar and cholesterol. If you're at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholestetrol, talk to your doctor how to lower your risk.
- Worth itBig hassleReviewed Abilifyon 3/4/2018I personally gained a lot of weight (60 pounds, I'm 5'5 and previously weighed 120) with this medication but I won't lie the side effects are not as bad as other Ned's and it highly effective16WomanA year or soWould rather not say
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Abilifyon 8/25/2017No good for diabetics. Sugar and carb cravings. Causes fast weight gain.44WomanA few monthsBipolar I disorder
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed AbilifyI gained 30 lbs on abilify but it helped my depression greatly.The weight gain made me very depressed so I quit taking it. I lost about 25 lbs & got severely depressed again, suicidal. So I'm stuck being fat & happy or thin & sad. 😣41WomanA year or soDepression