Abilify

Abilify are used for:

Treating schizophrenia, certain symptoms of bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autistic disorder. It is also used along with other medicines to treat depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Abilify are an atypical antipsychotic. Exactly how it works is not known. It affects certain substances in the brain.

Do NOT use Abilify if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Abilify

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if this applies to you.

Before using Abilify:

Some medical conditions may interact with Abilify. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack), low blood pressure, blood vessel problems, or stroke
• if you have a history of low white blood cell levels, including low white blood cell levels caused by any medicine
• if you have a history of seizures, dementia, Alzheimer disease, depression or other mental or mood disorders, or suicidal thoughts or attempts
• if you have trouble swallowing or a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• if you are dehydrated, have low blood volume, or are taking medicine for high blood pressure
• if you or a family member has a history of diabetes or you are very overweight

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Abilify. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine, methscopolamine) because the risk of overheating may be increased
• Benzodiazepines (eg, lorazepam), clarithromycin, imidazole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), quinidine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of Abilify's side effects
• Carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Abilify's effectiveness
• Alpha-blockers (eg, terazosin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Abilify

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Abilify may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Abilify:

Use Abilify as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Abilify comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Abilify refilled.
• Take Abilify by mouth with or without food.
• Taking Abilify at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Take Abilify on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• Continue to take Abilify even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Abilify, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Abilify.

Important safety information:

• Abilify may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Abilify with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Abilify.
• Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Abilify; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Abilify may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Abilify may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Abilify closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms, such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior, occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Abilify. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Some patients who take Abilify may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Abilify in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Abilify.
• Do not become overheated or dehydrated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
• Abilify may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Abilify may raise your blood sugar or increase your risk of developing diabetes. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
• Diabetes patients - Abilify may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including fasting blood sugar levels and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Abilify. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Abilify with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially uncontrolled muscle movements or seizures.
• Abilify should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Abilify can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Abilify while you are pregnant. It is not known if Abilify are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Abilify.

Possible side effects of Abilify:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include aggression; confusion; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; seizures; severe drowsiness, dizziness, or vomiting; tremor; trouble breathing; unusual mental changes.

Store Abilify at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Abilify out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Abilify, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Abilify are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Abilify. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.