Many people in world are going through mental disorders. Mental disorders are of many types namely, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders, psychotic disorders, development disorders, organic brain disorder, dissociative disorders, behavioral disorder, Paraphilias, impulse control and addiction disorders and many more. Precisely, mental disorder is the disorder of the mind which can be mild to severe which ultimately affects even the daily normal activities. To treat such disorders, various medications are available in the market and Generic Aripiprazole i.e. Abilify is one of the booned medications. It is mainly used for the treatment of the dreadful disease named as, Schizophrenia.

Generic Aripiprazole is an anti-psychotic drug for treating psychoses. Like other anti-psychotic drugs the mechanism of action of Aripiprazole is unknown. Moreover like other anti-psychotics it blocks several receptors on the nerves of the brain for several neurotransmitters chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other. It is thought that its beneficial effect is due to its effects on dopamine and serotonin receptors. Its effects on these receptors are complex involving stimulation of the receptors but to a lesser degree than the naturally-occurring neurotransmitters a process called ‘Partial Agonism’.

The FDA approved Aripiprazole as a treatment for schizophrenia in November of 2002.

For the exact dosage of the medication, please consult your doctor Aripiprazole usually is taken once a day. The usual starting dose is 10 or 15 mg once daily. The dose may be increased over time to achieve the desired effect. Aripiprazole can be taken with or without food but have it with a full glass of water. If you wish to consume grapefruit, please consult your doctor once. In case, you want to use this medication in children, please consult your pediatrician before using them.

For more information, please consult from your doctor and your pharmacists.

Some of the most common side effects associated with Aripiprazole are anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, cough, headache, insomnia, light-headedness, nausea, rashes, restlessness, runny nose, dizziness, Inability to control muscle movements in the face/hands/arms/legs, drowsiness, seizures, sleepiness, nausea, tremors, vomiting, weakness and weight gain, confusion, fainting spells, difficulty in sleeping, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in walking, joint and muscle pain, restlessness etc.

As with other anti-psychotics long-term use of Aripiprazole may lead to a potentially irreversible condition called tardive Dyskinesia, involuntary movements of the jaw, lips and tongue. A potentially fatal complex referred to as Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with anti-psychotic drugs including Aripiprazole. Patients who develop this syndrome may have high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, irregular pulse or blood pressure, rapid heart rate, excessive sweating and heart arrhythmias.

Although there is no clear link between Aripiprazole and diabetes patients should be tested during treatment for elevated blood-sugars. Additionally persons with risk factors for diabetes including obesity or a family history of diabetes should have their fasting levels of blood sugar tested before starting treatment and periodically throughout treatment to detect the onset of diabetes. Any patient developing symptoms that suggest diabetes during treatment should be tested for diabetes.

Call your doctor if you have any of these unusual problems or some new problems arises, while taking this medication which may appear severe or persistent to you. Consult your doctor immediately and get treated accordingly.

Carbamazepine Tegretol can markedly decrease the amount of Aripiprazole in the body by increasing the rate at which the body’s enzymes particularly the liver enzyme CYP3A4 degrade it. The manufacturer recommends that patients on Aripiprazole who are started on carbamazepine double their dose of Aripiprazole under their doctor’s supervision. Other drugs that can promote the activity of CYP3A4 and decrease the body’s levels of Aripiprazole are phenytoin Dilantin Rifampin and Phenobarbital.

Ketoconazole Nizoral can increase the amount of Aripiprazole in the body by blocking CYP3A4. The manufacturer of Aripiprazole recommends reducing the dose of Aripiprazole by one-half during ketoconazole therapy. Many other drugs also are known to block CYP3A4 and potentially could increase the levels of Aripiprazole but their actual effects on Aripiprazole levels have not been studied. Such drugs include: itraconazole Sporanox, fluconazole Diflucan, voriconazole Vfend, cimetidine Tagamet, verapamil Calan, Isoptin diltiazem, Cardizem Dilacor, erythromycin, clarithromycin Biaxin, nefazodone Serzone, ritonavir Norvir, saquinavir Invirase, nelfinavir Viracept, indinavir Crixivan and grapefruit juice.

Quinidine inhibits another liver enzyme known as CYP2D6 that also breaks down Aripiprazole and can increase the amount of Aripiprazole in the body. The manufacturer of Aripiprazole recommends reducing the dose of Aripiprazole by one-half during quinidine therapy. Other medicines that block CYP2D6 include fluoxetine Prozac and paroxetine Paxil.

Alpha-1 receptor blockers doxazosin Cardura, prazosin Minipress, terazosin Hytrin used for control of blood pressure and prostatic enlargement may increase the chance of hypotension unusually low blood pressure.
So, please consult your doctor and get more information on the interactions of the Abilify medication and take precautions accordingly. If you wish to discontinue this medication, please consult your doctor before doing so.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Keep all appointments with your doctor during the complete course. And never allow anyone else take your medication unless they are prescribed by their doctors themselves. Also inform your doctor if you have been the victim of any serious and major diseases. Also avoid extreme temperatures for your betterment.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double dose it to cope up with the missed dose. And in case, if you miss the two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Aripiprazole is used to treat severe mental disorders psychoses like schizophrenia which are characterized by distorted thoughts, perceptions and emotions.

For more information, consult your doctor once.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information on other uses of Abilify medication.

Aripiprazole tablets are stored at a prescribed temperature of 15-30°C 59-86°F.
Keep the medicine in a light-resistant tight container and away from heat, dampness or direct light. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Moisture or Heat may cause the break down of the medicine. In any case, do not store the medicine in the bathroom. However, some manufacturers vary in their storage recommendations. Therefore storage conditions for each product should be clarified with your pharmacist.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Abilify:

1. Let your doctor know about your complete medical history, if you have or have ever had any major diseases like heart problems, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack, seizures, Parkinsons disease, Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, difficulty in swallowing, kidney disease, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, any head injury, brain tumor or any other major disease.

2. Tell your doctor that what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking or even any OTC like nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal products etc. that you may be intaking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone Cordarone, Pacerone, antidepressants mood elevators, antifungals such as fluconazole Diflucan, itraconazole Sporanox and ketoconazole Nizoral, antihistamines, bupropion Wellbutrin, carbamazepine Tegretol, celecoxib Celebrex, chlorpromazine Thorazine, cimetidine Tagamet, clarithromycin Biaxin, clomipramine Anafranil, cyclosporine Neoral, Sandimmune, danazol Danocrine, delavirdine Rescriptor, dexamethasone Decadron, diltiazem Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, doxorubicin Adriamycin, erythromycin E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin, ethosuximide Zarontin, fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem, fluvoxamine Luvox, HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir Crixivan and ritonavir Norvir, ipratropium Atrovent, isoniazid INH, Nydrazid medications for anxiety, blood pressure, irritable bowel disease, mental illness, motion sickness, Parkinsons disease, seizures, ulcers or urinary problems metoclopramide Reglan, methadone Dolophine, metronidazole Flagyl, nefazodone Serzone, oral contraceptives birth control pills, paroxetine Paxil, phenobarbital Luminal, Solfoton, phenytoin Dilantin, primidone Mysoline, quinidine Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinidex, ranitidine Zantac, rifabutin Mycobutin, rifampin Rifadin, Rimactane, sedatives, sertraline Zoloft, sleeping pills, terbinafine Lamisil, tranquilizers, troglitazone Rezulin, troleandomycin TAO, verapamil Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan and zafirlukast Accolate.

3. You should know that Aripiprazole cause drowsiness and so do not drive a car or operate machinery until you are sure about how this medication affects you. Inform your doctor if you consume alcohol or any alcohol containing beverages and remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. So better avoid alcohol during the complete course.

4. If you have to undergo any surgery, major operation or any dental procedure, inform your surgeon, dentist or doctor, that you are taking Abilify medication.

5. Let your doctor or the physician know about your any kind allergies. They may be any food, medicine, particularly to Abilify or any composition allergy.

6. Do not share the Abilify with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. If the medicine is no longer in use or is outdated, discard it immediately after checking with your doctor or your pharmacist.

7. You should know that you may have increases in your blood sugar i.e. Hyperglycemia while you are taking this medication even if you do not already have diabetes. If you have schizophrenia a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking loss of interest in life and strong or inappropriate emotions you are more likely to develop diabetes than people who do not have schizophrenia and taking Aripiprazole or similar medications may increase this risk.

8. Do not discontinue medication on your own. Consult your doctor before doing so.

9. Keep the medication out of reach of newborns, children and pets.

10. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while you are taking Aripiprazole: extreme thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision or weakness. It is very important to call your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms because high blood sugar can cause more serious symptoms such as dry mouth, upset stomach and vomiting, shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity or decreased consciousness and may become life-threatening if it is not treated at an early stage.

11. You should know that Aripiprazole may cause dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking Aripiprazole. To avoid this problem get out of bed slowly resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

12. You should know that Aripiprazole may make it harder for your body to cool down when it gets very hot. Tell your doctor if you plan to do vigorous exercise or be exposed to extreme heat. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

13. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding and do not breast feed in any case whilst on course. If you conceive during the course, immediately inform your doctor.

14. Keep all the appointments with your doctor as the doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects caused to you.