Abilify (aripiprazole)

Abilify side effects

Abilify can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Abilify. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Abilify, see this comprehensive article. Or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Abilify, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Abilify. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or visit Abilify’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Abilify can include:

• nausea, vomiting, or constipation
• memory loss
• headache
• blurry vision or dizziness
• upper respiratory infection, such as a cold
• anxiety
• feeling sleepy or having insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)
• restlessness or feeling like you need to move
• rash
• hair loss
• sexual side effects, such as sexual urges or changes in libido
• mild allergic reaction*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Abilify, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Abilify aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• Stroke in older people with psychosis (loss of touch with reality) that’s related to dementia (a condition involving memory loss). Symptoms can include:
  • numbness or weakness on one side of your body
  • feeling confused
  • trouble walking
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare but serious reaction to antipsychotic drugs). Symptoms can include:
  • high fever
  • fast heart rate
  • rigid muscles
• Changes in your metabolism, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. (Metabolism describes all of the chemical reactions that happen inside your body.) Symptoms can include:
  • feeling very thirsty or hungry
  • being confused
  • gaining weight
• Feeling the urge to do unusual things or excessively do certain things. Symptoms can include:
  • binge eating
  • gambling
  • compulsive shopping
  • sexual urges
• Decreased blood pressure when you’re standing up or sitting up, which can lead to falls. Symptoms can include:
  • dizziness
  • fainting
• Decreased level of white blood cells or neutrophils (a specific type of white blood cell). Symptoms can include:
  • fever
  • infections that don’t go away
• Impaired ability to think or move. Symptoms can include:
  • feeling tired
  • trouble thinking clearly
  • decreased motor skills
• Problems with your body’s temperature control. Symptoms can include:
  • sweating
  • redness
• Trouble swallowing. Symptoms can include:
  • pain when swallowing
  • feeling like food is stuck in your throat
  • heartburn
• Extrapyramidal disorder (a movement disorder that’s caused by certain medications). Symptoms can include:
  • tremors
  • trouble speaking
  • anxiety
• Severe allergic reaction.*
• Movement disorders, such as tremors or tardive dyskinesia (TD).
• Increased risk of death in certain older people.†
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger people.†

* For details about allergic reaction and Abilify, see “Allergic reaction” below.
† Abilify has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Abilify precautions” section below.

Side effects in children

Common side effects of Abilify seen in children using the drug include:

• feeling sleepy
• tremor (shaking)
• fatigue (lack of energy)
• nausea or vomiting
• fever
• feeling restless
• blurry vision
• dizziness
• drooling or having more saliva than usual
• changes in appetite
• headache
• stuffy nose
• insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
• weight gain
• muscle stiffness

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Abilify. But it’s not known how many people had an allergic reaction to Abilify during clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Abilify, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Abilify generic

Abilify contains the active drug aripiprazole, which is available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. It’s considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Abilify comes as tablets that are swallowed. Aripiprazole, on the other hand, is available as:

• oral tablets that are swallowed
• oral disintegrating tablets that dissolve in your mouth
• an oral solution

The approved uses of aripiprazole may depend on the dosage form that’s prescribed. Talk with your doctor about which dosage form is right for you based on the condition you’re treating.

Abilify dosage

The Abilify dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you’re using Abilify to treat
• your age
• the form of Abilify you’re taking
• other medical conditions you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Abilify contains the active drug aripiprazole. It comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. And it’s available in the following strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg.

Other forms of Abilify were available in the past, but they’re no longer on the market. These forms included:

• oral disintegrating tablets that dissolve inside your mouth
• oral solution that’s swallowed
• injectable solution that’s injected into your muscle

Dosage for depression

Abilify is approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), which is also simply called depression, in adults. For this purpose, Abilify is used in combination with other drugs. It’s not used alone to treat MDD.

You’ll take Abilify in addition to other depression therapy. The typical starting dosage of Abilify for MDD is between 2 mg and 5 mg once each day. Then your dose will be increased by up to 5 mg each week until your depression symptoms are decreased.

The typical maintenance dosage range of Abilify for MDD is between 2 mg and 15 mg daily. For this use, the maximum daily dose of Abilify is 15 mg.

Dosage for manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder

Abilify is approved for use in adults with manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder.

For this condition, the typical starting dosage of Abilify in adults is 15 mg once daily. If you’re taking Abilify with either valproate or lithium, your doctor may recommend a starting dosage of Abilify of 10 mg to 15 mg once daily. (Valproate and lithium are other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder.)

The typical maintenance dosage of Abilify in adults with bipolar I disorder is 15 mg once daily. However, up to 30 mg of Abilify daily may be used in some cases. And this is the maximum daily dose of Abilify for this condition.

For information on Abilify dosage in children with bipolar I disorder, see the section “Children’s dosage” below.

Dosage for schizophrenia

For adults with schizophrenia, the starting dosage of Abilify for this condition is typically 10 mg to 15 mg once daily. After 2 weeks of treatment, if you’re still having symptoms of schizophrenia, your doctor may increase your daily dose of Abilify.

The typical maintenance dosage range of Abilify for schizophrenia is 10 mg to 30 mg daily. For schizophrenia, the maximum daily dose of Abilify is 30 mg.

For information on Abilify dosage in children with schizophrenia, see the section “Children’s dosage” below.

Dosage for irritability related to autism

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 6 to 17 years old with irritability that’s related to autism.

For information on Abilify dosages in children with irritability related to autism, see the section “Children’s dosage” below.

Dosage for Tourette syndrome

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 6 to 18 years old with Tourette syndrome.

For information on Abilify dosages in children with Tourette syndrome, see the section “Children’s dosage” below.

Children’s dosage

Below we describe Abilify dosages for children with certain conditions that the drug is approved to treat.

Dosage for schizophrenia in children

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 13 to 17 years old with schizophrenia.

The typical starting dosage of Abilify for this use is 2 mg once daily. Then after 2 days of treatment, the child’s doctor may increase the daily dose to 5 mg. After an additional 2 days, the doctor may increase the Abilify dose to 10 mg daily.

Doses between 10 mg and 30 mg have been studied in children. Your child’s doctor will recommend a dosage of Abilify that’s right for your child.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder in children

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 10 years to 17 years old with manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder.

The typical starting dosage of Abilify for this use is 2 mg once daily. Then after 2 days of treatment, the child’s doctor may increase the daily dose to 5 mg. After an additional 2 days, their doctor may increase their Abilify dose to 10 mg daily.

If the doctor believes that your child needs a higher dose of Abilify, the dosage may be increased by 5 mg each day, up to a maximum of 30 mg daily. This increase in dosage is continued until your child’s symptoms of bipolar I disorder are decreased.

Keep in mind that if your child is taking lithium or valproate along with Abilify, the recommended dosages of Abilify are the same as those described above. (Lithium and valproate are other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder.)

Dosage for irritability related to autism in children

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 6 to 17 years old with irritability that’s related to autism.

The typical starting dosage of Abilify for this use is 2 mg once daily. Then the daily dose can be increased to 5 mg daily after at least 1 week. Following this, the daily dose can be increased to 10 mg to 15 mg daily. It’s recommended to wait at least 1 week before increasing Abilify’s dosage.

The typical maintenance dosage range of Abilify for this use is 5 mg to 15 mg daily.

Dosage for Tourette syndrome in children

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 6 to 18 years old with Tourette syndrome.

The starting dosage of Abilify for this use is based on the child’s body weight, as follows:

• If your child weighs less than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds), their starting dosage of Abilify will be 2 mg daily. Then after 2 days, their doctor will increase the dosage to 5 mg daily. If after 1 week your child is still having symptoms of Tourette syndrome, their doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg daily.
• If your child weighs 50 kg (about 110 lb) or more, their starting dosage of Abilify will be 2 mg daily. Then after 2 days, their doctor will increase the dosage to 5 mg daily. After 5 days, your child’s dosage will be increased to 10 mg daily. If your child is still having symptoms of Tourette syndrome, their doctor may increase their dose to a maximum daily dose of 20 mg.

About taking Abilify

Below you’ll find information about taking Abilify.

• When to take: The manufacturer of Abilify hasn’t stated the best time of day to take the drug. But taking the medication around the same time of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Abilify work effectively.
• If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
• Taking Abilify with food: Abilify can be taken with or without food.
• Crushing, splitting, or chewing Abilify: Abilify oral tablets should be swallowed whole. They should not be crushed, split, or chewed.
• Length of use: Abilify is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Abilify is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Overdose

Using more than the recommended dosage of Abilify can lead to serious side effects. Do not use more Abilify than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an Abilify overdose can include:

• vomiting
• sleepiness
• tremors or convulsions
• aggression
• heart problems, such as atrial fibrillation (a type of abnormal heart rhythm) and increased heart rate
• changes in certain blood tests, such as those used to check your liver and kidney function
• increased or decreased blood pressure
• loss of consciousness
• breathing that slows down or stops completely

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Abilify uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Abilify to treat certain conditions. Abilify may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Abilify for depression

Abilify is approved for use with antidepressants in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). Examples of antidepressants include escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), and venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR).

MDD, which is often simply called depression, is a serious disease that affects your mood and actions. People with MDD often feel sad or anxious. This condition may affect your daily life, and you possibly may not be able to eat or sleep like usual.

Other symptoms of depression include feeling hopeless and not having an interest in activities that you used to enjoy. Some people with depression may have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, which are serious and may be life threatening.

If you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, talk with your doctor right away. Your doctor can recommend treatment options, which may include Abilify.

Abilify for manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder

Abilify is approved to treat manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder. For this use, Abilify can be given to adults and some children.* For this condition, Abilify is approved for use on its own. It’s also approved for use in combination with either valproate or lithium. (Valproate and lithium are other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder.)

Bipolar disorder affects your brain and causes you to have changes in your mood and behavior. With bipolar I disorder, you may have manic episodes. During these episodes, you can feel energetic or extremely irritable. And your thoughts may be racing, making it difficult for you to concentrate.

It’s also possible to have mixed episodes with bipolar I disorder. During mixed episodes, you have manic symptoms and depression symptoms at the same time.

Symptoms of depression can include feeling sad or hopeless or lacking interest in activities that you used to enjoy. Some people with depression may have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, which are serious and may be life threatening. With mixed episodes, you can have changes in your mood that can be severe.

* For more information, see the section below called “Abilify and children.”

Abilify for schizophrenia

Abilify is approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and some children.* Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects how you think and behave.

Many different things can cause schizophrenia. These include genetics and changes in certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).

Usually, schizophrenia begins to affect people during their teenage or young adult years. Symptoms of schizophrenia vary, but they can include:

• Positive symptoms. These symptoms are thoughts or behaviors that happen in people with schizophrenia but that don’t happen in people without the disease. Examples of positive symptoms include hallucinations, unusual thoughts, and changes in body movements.
• Negative symptoms. These symptoms also affect your behavior. They may cause you to have very little or no emotion. And you may also not want to talk as often as usual.
• Symptoms that affect your memory and ability to think. These symptoms include difficulties with attention, remembering things, and staying focused.

* For more information, see the section below called “Abilify and children.”

Abilify for irritability related to autism

Abilify is approved to treat irritability related to autism in some children. For more information, see the section “Abilify and children” below.

Abilify for Tourette syndrome

Abilify is approved to treat Tourette syndrome in some children. For more information, see the section “Abilify and children” below.

Abilify for other conditions

In addition to the uses listed above, Abilify may be prescribed off-label for other uses. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved for one use is prescribed for a different one that’s not approved. And you may wonder if Abilify is used for certain other conditions. Below is information on other possible uses for Abilify.

Abilify for anxiety disorders (off-label use)

Abilify isn’t approved to treat anxiety disorders. But sometimes it’s prescribed off-label to treat certain anxiety disorders.

Anxiety can refer to a range of conditions, which are explained in a bit more detail below. These conditions include:

• generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Some studies have shown that Abilify may be a treatment option for certain people with anxiety. However, in some people, Abilify may actually cause symptoms of anxiety. So Abilify may not be right for everyone with anxiety.

It’s not known what the best dosage of Abilify for anxiety is. This is because the drug isn’t currently approved for this condition.

If you have anxiety, talk with your doctor about the best options for your condition.

Off-label use of Abilify for GAD

With GAD, you may feel restless or irritable. And you may have trouble falling or staying asleep.

One study looked at how well Abilify worked in people with GAD that hadn’t responded to other medications. This study showed that there may be a benefit from Abilify treatment in people with GAD.

Abilify for ADHD (under study)

Abilify isn’t approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But the drug is being studied for this use. With ADHD, you have difficulty concentrating. You may also have hyperactivity, which makes you unable to stay still. ADHD may also affect your ability to focus and learn.

A small 2016 study compared Abilify and risperidone (Risperdal) as treatments to help children with both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD symptoms. The study showed that children with ASD and ADHD symptoms who took Abilify had a decrease in their ADHD symptoms.

Another study looked at people who had both ADHD and a mood disorder called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). DMDD causes irritability, mood changes, and temper outbursts. In this study, people took Abilify along with methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate). The study showed that this treatment reduced people’s ADHD symptoms, such as disruptive behavior and attention difficulties. The treatment also reduced people’s DMDD symptoms.

If you have questions about using Abilify to treat ADHD, talk with your doctor. They can recommend appropriate treatment options for your condition.

Abilify and children

Abilify is approved for use in some children with certain mental health conditions. These conditions are listed in the table below.

Keep in mind that Abilify may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 and younger. (See the section “Abilify Precautions” below for more information.) Because of this risk, Abilify should be used cautiously in people ages 24 and younger.

Abilify has only been studied in adults, not children, with major depressive disorder (MDD). (This condition is often simply called depression.) Because of this, it’s not known if the drug is safe or effective for use in children with MDD.

To learn more about the conditions Abilify treats in children, talk with your doctor.

Common questions about Abilify

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Abilify.

Does Abilify give you energy? How will Abilify make you feel?

No, Abilify won’t make you feel more energetic than usual. In fact, for some people, Abilify may actually make them feel more sleepy than usual.

Some drugs called stimulants may make you feel more energetic than usual. But Abilify isn’t a stimulant drug. Instead, it’s an antipsychotic drug.

If you have any questions about how Abilify may make you feel, see the section “Abilify side effects” above. Or you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Abilify a controlled substance?

No, Abilify isn’t a controlled substance. (Controlled substances are more likely than other medications to cause dependence.) Even so, your body may become dependent on Abilify.

With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual. Abilify may cause dependence because it affects hormones inside your brain. And once your body adjusts to the changes that Abilify causes, you may become dependent on the drug.

Because Abilify may cause dependence, it’s possible that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it.

To learn more about this, see the “Abilify withdrawal and dependence” section below. Also, talk with your doctor about how this medication may affect you.

Can Abilify be used to treat bipolar II disorder?

Yes, sometimes Abilify is prescribed off-label to treat bipolar II disorder. But keep in mind that Abilify isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat bipolar II disorder. (With off-label use, a drug that’s approved by the FDA for certain conditions is prescribed for another condition.)

On the other hand, Abilify is approved to treat manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder. Bipolar disorder affects your brain and causes you to have changes in your mood and behavior.

With bipolar I disorder, you may have manic episodes. During these episodes, you can feel very energetic or extremely irritable. And your thoughts may be racing, making it difficult for you to concentrate. It’s also possible to have mixed episodes with bipolar I disorder. With mixed episodes, you have both manic symptoms and depression symptoms at the same time. This causes changes in your mood that can be severe.

However, with bipolar II disorder, your most common symptom is major depression. With bipolar II disorder, you’ll also have hypomania, which is a less severe condition than the mania seen with bipolar I disorder.

It’s important to remember that Abilify is approved to treat manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder. Because people with bipolar II disorder mostly have depressive symptoms, Abilify may not work as well for them.

If you have questions about using Abilify to treat bipolar II disorder, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether Abilify may be an option to treat your condition.

Abilify withdrawal and dependence

It’s possible that your body may become dependent on Abilify. But keep in mind that Abilify isn’t a controlled substance. (Controlled substances are more likely than other medications to cause dependence.)

With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual. Abilify may cause dependence because it affects hormones inside your brain. And once your body adjusts to the changes caused by Abilify, you may become dependent on the drug.

Because Abilify may cause dependence, it’s possible that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug.

However, keep in mind that dependence on Abilify has not been studied in humans. So it’s not known for sure if everyone who takes the drug will become dependent on it.

It’s important to talk with your doctor about Abilify withdrawal and dependence if you have a history of drug misuse. Because this medication may cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms, your doctor may recommend a different medication for you that has a lower risk of these complications.

Withdrawal symptoms and withdrawal timeline of Abilify

The withdrawal symptoms that may occur in people who suddenly stop taking Abilify aren’t known for sure. Also, it’s not known how soon after stopping Abilify you’ll have withdrawal symptoms, or how long they’ll last.

Withdrawal symptoms of Abilify may include:

• dizziness
• nausea
• anxiety
• muscle twitches
• insomnia
• headache
• nausea
• increased heart rate

If you have questions about withdrawal symptoms from Abilify, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to stop taking Abilify

If you’re planning to stop taking Abilify, talk with your doctor first about how to taper off the drug. With tapering, your doctor will slowly decrease your dose of the drug so that your body can adjust to the lower dose over time. Tapering off Abilify can help decrease your risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Keep in mind that the lowest dose that Abilify tablets are made in is 2 mg. So if you’re taking 2 mg of Abilify daily and you’re planning to stop taking it, your doctor may just have you stop taking your daily dose.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Abilify, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

• bupropion (Wellbutrin XL)
• venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR)
• brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
• quetiapine (Seroquel)
• lurasidone (Latuda)
• cariprazine (Vraylar)
• paliperidone (Invega)
• sertraline (Zoloft)
• amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)

How Abilify works

It’s not known exactly how Abilify works inside your brain. However, it’s believed that the drug may work on receptors (attachment sites) for certain brain chemicals. These brain chemicals include dopamine and serotonin.

Dopamine is important in regulating how you think and feel. And serotonin is important in controlling your mood and behavior.

It’s believed that certain mental health conditions may cause you to have too much dopamine or serotonin in your brain. Examples of these mental health conditions include schizophrenia, mania, irritability related to autism, and Tourette syndrome. And Abilify is approved to treat each of these conditions.

Abilify may work by balancing your dopamine and serotonin levels. This way, you don’t have too much or too little of the brain chemicals, which makes your thoughts and behaviors easier to control.

Abilify vs. Abilify Maintena

You may wonder how Abilify compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. The table below gives an overview of how Abilify and Abilify Maintena compare.

* MDD is also simply called depression.

Because Abilify and Abilify Maintena both contain the same active drug, their mild and serious side effects are generally the same.

One exception is that while Abilify may cause headaches, Abilify Maintena doesn’t cause them. Also, because Abilify Maintena is an injectable medication, you may have injection side effects with it. For example, you could experience pain at your injection site after receiving a dose of the drug.

To learn more about these drugs, including their potential side effects, see the prescribing information for Abilify and Abilify Maintena. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about these drugs.

Abilify vs. Rexulti

Abilify and Rexulti may be prescribed for similar uses. The table below gives an overview of how these drugs compare.

* MDD is also simply called depression.

Abilify and Rexulti can cause similar side effects, but some different ones as well. To learn more about these drugs, including their potential side effects, see this article or the prescribing information for Abilify and Rexulti. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about these drugs.

Abilify vs. Latuda

Abilify and Latuda may be prescribed for similar uses. The table below gives an overview of how these drugs compare.

* MDD is also simply called depression.

Abilify and Latuda can cause similar side effects, but some different ones as well. To learn more about these drugs, including their potential side effects, see this article or the prescribing information for Abilify and Latuda. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about these drugs.

Abilify interactions

Abilify can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain foods. It’s not known to interact with any herbs or supplements. However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future.

Before taking Abilify, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Below are some of the medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Abilify. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Abilify.

For more information about Abilify’s interactions, see this detailed article. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medication interactions

The table below lists some of the types of drugs that may interact with Abilify.

Other interactions: Alcohol and food

If you drink alcohol, it may not be safe to consume while taking Abilify. If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Abilify, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Abilify is known to interact with grapefruit. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you’re taking Abilify could cause the amount of the drug in your body to build up. Your doctor will recommend that you avoid grapefruit products during Abilify treatment.

If you have any questions about consuming grapefruit or any other foods with Abilify, talk with your doctor.

Abilify cost

As with all medications, the cost of Abilify can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Abilify. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

To learn more about the price of Abilify, see this related article.

Financial and insurance assistance: Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., the manufacturer of Abilify, provides cost savings for this drug. To learn more, visit the manufacturer’s website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version: Abilify is available in a generic form called aripiprazole. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of aripiprazole compares to the cost of Abilify, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Abilify and pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you can become pregnant or are breastfeeding, it’s important to consider whether Abilify is a safe choice for you.

You can also refer to this article for more information. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor.