Abilify
(aripiprazole)
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
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.
- 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.
What to expect from Abilify, on one page
Downsides
- 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.
What to expect from Abilify, on one page
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic. It stabilizes dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain to help control your thoughts and affect mood.
- 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.- Pay as low as$2801.47Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- CostcoGet free coupon$2748.57
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What 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
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Abilify (aripiprazole)
- Restlessness13%13%4%4%
- Sedation8%8%3%3%
- Tremor6%6%3%3%
- Difficulty controlling movements5%5%2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Abilify.
People taking Abilify felt side effect more
People taking Abilify felt side effect less
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.
Pharmacist Q&A
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?- 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
- Worth itBig hassleReviewed Abilifyon 5/23/2020As I experienced extreme fatigue, I was recommended to break it in half and take them at different hours of the day, which worked much better(energy supplements helped most though).I noticed that the tiring effect starts three hours later. Two to three hours of work that requires getting stressed helped me sleep less than twelve hours, which it annoyingly caused me the first place. But, it’s worth it. I still do wish my psychiatrist had told me about the intense sexual urges.32ManTwo years or moreBipolar I disorder
- 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
- 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.
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Abilifyon 8/25/2017No good for diabetics. Sugar and carb cravings. Causes fast weight gain.44WomanA few monthsBipolar I disorder
- Not sureBig hassleReviewed aripiprazoleon 11/9/2020I’ve been taking this medication for years. It makes me blink a lot and have trouble keeping my eyes open. I have gained so much weight. Also at night when i take it I feel like my stomach is empty and I need to eat. It’s really annoying because it does help me with paranoid thoughts but the side effects are so bad.37WomanTwo years or moreBipolar I disorder
- 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