Abilify (Aripiprazole Intramuscular)

Generic name: Aripiprazole
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Usage of Abilify (Aripiprazole Intramuscular)

Aripiprazole injection is used to treat agitation caused by schizophrenia or bipolar mania.

Aripiprazole extended-release injection is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental disorder) and bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). It works in the brain to change how certain chemicals affect patients. Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic agent.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Abilify (Aripiprazole Intramuscular) side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Difficulty with speaking

drooling

loss of balance control

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

restlessness

shuffling walk

stiffness of the limbs

twisting movements of the body

uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Less common

Blurred vision

dizziness

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

headache

inability to move the eyes

increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid

nervousness

pounding in the ears

sticking out the tongue

trouble breathing or swallowing

unusual facial expressions

Rare

Fast heartbeat

high fever

increased sweating

lip smacking or puckering

loss of bladder control

muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

puffing of the cheeks

rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue

seizures

severe muscle stiffness

sudden loss of consciousness

tiredness

uncontrolled chewing movements

uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs

unusually pale skin

Incidence not known

Black, tarry stools

chest pain or tightness

cough

hives or welts, itching, or skin rash

itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

redness of the skin

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Infection from breathing foreign substance into the lungs

seizure that will not stop

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Belching

difficulty having a bowel movement

dry mouth

fear

fever

heartburn

hyperventilation

inability to sit still

indigestion

irritability

lightheadedness

need to keep moving

runny nose

shaking

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

trouble sleeping

weight gain

Less common

Accidental injury

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

body aches or pain

congestion

difficulty with moving

hoarseness

increased appetite

joint pain

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

sneezing

stuffy nose

swollen joints

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tingling of the hands or feet

tremor

unusual weight gain or loss

voice changes

Incidence not known

Hiccups

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Abilify (Aripiprazole Intramuscular)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of aripiprazole injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medicine in elderly patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving aripiprazole injection. This medicine should not be used to treat behavioral problems in elderly patients who have dementia or Alzheimer disease.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bepridil

Bromopride

Cisapride

Dronedarone

Fluconazole

Ketoconazole

Levoketoconazole

Mesoridazine

Metoclopramide

Pimozide

Piperaquine

Posaconazole

Saquinavir

Sparfloxacin

Terfenadine

Thioridazine

Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Abametapir

Abiraterone Acetate

Adagrasib

Alfentanil

Alfuzosin

Alprazolam

Amiodarone

Amisulpride

Amitriptyline

Anagrelide

Apalutamide

Apomorphine

Arsenic Trioxide

Asenapine

Astemizole

Atazanavir

Azithromycin

Bedaquiline

Bentazepam

Benzhydrocodone

Boceprevir

Bromazepam

Buprenorphine

Bupropion

Buserelin

Butorphanol

Calcium Oxybate

Cannabidiol

Cannabis

Carbamazepine

Ceritinib

Cetirizine

Chlordiazepoxide

Chloroquine

Chlorpromazine

Ciprofloxacin

Citalopram

Clarithromycin

Clobazam

Clofazimine

Clomipramine

Clonazepam

Clorazepate

Clothiapine

Cloxazolam

Clozapine

Cobicistat

Codeine

Conivaptan

Crizotinib

Cyclobenzaprine

Dabrafenib

Daridorexant

Darunavir

Dasatinib

Degarelix

Delamanid

Delorazepam

Desipramine

Deslorelin

Desvenlafaxine

Deutetrabenazine

Dexmedetomidine

Diazepam

Dihydrocodeine

Disopyramide

Dofetilide

Dolasetron

Domperidone

Donepezil

Doxepin

Doxylamine

Droperidol

Duloxetine

Ebastine

Efavirenz

Encorafenib

Entrectinib

Enzalutamide

Eribulin

Erythromycin

Escitalopram

Esketamine

Estazolam

Etrasimod

Famotidine

Fedratinib

Felbamate

Fentanyl

Fexinidazole

Fingolimod

Flecainide

Flibanserin

Flunitrazepam

Fluoxetine

Flurazepam

Formoterol

Foscarnet

Fosnetupitant

Fosphenytoin

Fostemsavir

Gabapentin

Gabapentin Enacarbil

Galantamine

Gatifloxacin

Gemifloxacin

Gepirone

Glasdegib

Gonadorelin

Goserelin

Granisetron

Halazepam

Halofantrine

Haloperidol

Histrelin

Hydrocodone

Hydromorphone

Hydroquinidine

Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxyzine

Ibutilide

Idelalisib

Iloperidone

Imipramine

Indinavir

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin

Itraconazole

Ivabradine

Ivosidenib

Josamycin

Ketamine

Ketazolam

Lacosamide

Lapatinib

Lefamulin

Lemborexant

Lenvatinib

Leuprolide

Levocetirizine

Levofloxacin

Levorphanol

Lofexidine

Lonafarnib

Lopinavir

Loprazolam

Lorazepam

Lormetazepam

Loxapine

Lumacaftor

Lumefantrine

Macimorelin

Magnesium Oxybate

Mavacamten

Medazepam

Mefloquine

Meperidine

Metaclazepam

Methadone

Metronidazole

Mibefradil

Midazolam

Mifepristone

Mirtazapine

Mitotane

Mizolastine

Mobocertinib

Morphine

Morphine Sulfate Liposome

Moxifloxacin

Nafarelin

Nalbuphine

Nefazodone

Nelfinavir

Netupitant

Nilotinib

Nitrazepam

Nordazepam

Norfloxacin

Octreotide

Ofloxacin

Olanzapine

Omaveloxolone

Ondansetron

Osilodrostat

Osimertinib

Oxaliplatin

Oxazepam

Oxycodone

Oxymorphone

Ozanimod

Pacritinib

Paliperidone

Panobinostat

Paroxetine

Pasireotide

Pazopanib

Pentamidine

Periciazine

Perphenazine

Phenobarbital

Phenytoin

Pimavanserin

Pinazepam

Pipamperone

Pitolisant

Ponesimod

Potassium Oxybate

Prazepam

Pregabalin

Primidone

Probucol

Procainamide

Prochlorperazine

Promethazine

Propafenone

Protriptyline

Quazepam

Quetiapine

Quinidine

Quinine

Quizartinib

Ranolazine

Relugolix

Remifentanil

Remimazolam

Ribociclib

Rifampin

Rifapentine

Rilpivirine

Risperidone

Ritonavir

Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft

Selpercatinib

Sertindole

Sertraline

Sevoflurane

Siponimod

Sodium Oxybate

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic

Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic

Solifenacin

Sorafenib

Sotalol

St John's Wort

Sufentanil

Sulpiride

Sunitinib

Tacrolimus

Tamoxifen

Tapentadol

Telaprevir

Telavancin

Telithromycin

Temazepam

Terbinafine

Tetrabenazine

Tetrazepam

Tolterodine

Topiramate

Toremifene

Tramadol

Trazodone

Triazolam

Triclabendazole

Trimipramine

Triptorelin

Troleandomycin

Tucatinib

Vandetanib

Vardenafil

Vemurafenib

Venlafaxine

Vilanterol

Vinflunine

Voclosporin

Voriconazole

Vorinostat

Zolpidem

Zuclopenthixol

Zuranolone

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Grapefruit Juice

Relate drugs

How to use Abilify (Aripiprazole Intramuscular)

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or clinic. It will be given as a shot into a muscle in your arm or buttock.

This injection is given together with the oral medicine for the first dose. The second dose and the injections that follow are given instead of the oral medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments for the injections.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Be sure to keep all appointments for the injections.

Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and help reduce any unwanted effects. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may increase risk for stroke in elderly patients with dementia. Tell your doctor right away if you have confusion, difficulty in speaking, slow speech, inability to speak, inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles, double vision, or headache while using this medicine.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor.

This medicine may add to the effects of alcohol and other medicines that make you drowsy or less alert. Some examples of these medicines are antihistamines or medicines for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, prescription pain medicines or narcotics, medicines for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics (medicines that numb), including some dental anesthetics. If you are taking any of these medicines, make sure you tell your doctor before you receive aripiprazole injection.

Aripiprazole may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, or trouble with controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Check with your doctor right away if you have difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, seizures, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

This medicine may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.

Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their behavior. Talk with your doctor right away if you start having unusual urges, including gambling urges, binge or compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, or sexual urges while using this medicine.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may make it more difficult for your body to cool down. It might reduce how much you sweat. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. Avoid places that are very hot. Call your doctor if drinking cool water and moving away from the heat does not cool you down.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

This medicine may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis while you are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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