Abilify is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain mood disorders, such as schizophrenia. Abilify contains the active drug aripiprazole and belongs to the antipsychotics drug class.

Abilify is FDA-approved to treat:

  • schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
  • manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
  • major depressive disorder (MDD), also simply called depression, in adults*
  • irritability that’s related to autism in children ages 6 years and older
  • Tourette’s syndrome in children ages 6 years and older

* For treating MDD, Abilify is used in combination with other medications. For more information, see the “Abilify uses” section below.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Abilify below.

  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • Generic available? Yes
  • Prescription required? Yes
  • Controlled substance? No
  • Year of FDA approval: 2002

Other forms of Abilify

Abilify comes in other forms, which are available under different brand names: Abilify MyCite is an oral tablet containing a sensor, and Abilify Maintena and Abilify Asimtufii are solutions for injection. Each of these forms may be used for different conditions. For an overview of Abilify and Abilify Maintena, see the “Abilify vs. Abilify Maintena” section below. To learn more about Abilify MyCite and Abilify Asimtufii, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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
    • 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:
    • 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:

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 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.

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 Ability 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’s syndrome

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

For information on Abilify dosages in children with Tourette’s 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’s syndrome in children

Abilify is approved for use in children ages 6 to 18 years old with Tourette’s 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’s 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’s 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:

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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Abilify to treat certain conditions. Abilify may also be used 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 interest in activities that you used to enjoy. Some people with depression may even 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 large changes in your mood.

* 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 having trouble paying 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’s syndrome

Abilify is approved to treat Tourette’s 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 used 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:

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, moodiness, and temper tantrums. 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 problems. 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.

Condition Abilify treats in childrenAge rangeUse with other drugs
schizophreniaages 13 years and oldermay be used on its own or in combination with other drugs if a doctor recommends it
manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorderages 10 years and oldermay be used on its own or in combination with either valproate or lithium
irritability that’s related to autismages 6 years and oldermay be used on its own or in combination with other drugs if a doctor recommends it
Tourette’s syndromeages 6 years and oldermay be used on its own or in combination with other drugs if a doctor recommends it

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.

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 used 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 large changes in your mood.

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.

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:

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 of 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 of 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.

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.

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’s 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.

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.

AbilifyAbilify Maintena
Active drugaripiprazolearipiprazole
Formoral tabletintramuscular injection
Usesschizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults and children 10 years and older
major depressive disorder (MDD)* in adults, in combination with other drugs
• irritability that’s related to autism in children ages 6 years and older
Tourette’s syndrome in children ages 6 years and older
• schizophrenia in adults
• bipolar I disorder in adults

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

AbilifyRexulti
Active drugaripiprazolebrexpiprazole
Formoral tabletoral tablet
Usesschizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
major depressive disorder (MDD)* in adults, in combination with other drugs
• irritability that’s related to autism in children ages 6 years and older
Tourette’s syndrome in children ages 6 years and older
• schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
• MDD in adults, in combination with other drugs
• agitation related to dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease in adults

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

AbilifyLatuda
Active drugaripiprazolelurasidone
Formoral tabletoral tablet
Usesschizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
major depressive disorder (MDD)* in adults, in combination with other drugs
• irritability that’s related to autism in children ages 6 years and older
Tourette’s syndrome in children ages 6 years and older
• schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
• depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
• depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults, in combination with either lithium or valproate

* 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 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.

Medications interactions

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

Type of medicationExamples
benzodiazepines• lorazepam (Ativan)
• diazepam (Valium)
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant• paroxetine (Paxil)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
drugs that affect the level of Abilify in your body• itraconazole (Sporanox)
clarithromycin
quinidine
carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• rifampin (Rifadin)
certain blood pressure medicationsprazosin (Minipress)
doxazosin (Cardura)
certain recreational or illegal drugscannabis (commonly called marijuana)
heroin
certain pain relieversmorphine (Mitigo, MS Contin, others)
oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, others)
fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora, Sublimaze)

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.

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.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Abilify and pregnancy

It’s not known if Abilify is safe to take during pregnancy. However, withdrawal symptoms can occur in newborns when antipsychotic medications, such as Abilify, are taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms can include:

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Pregnancy registry for Abilify

If you do use Abilify during pregnancy, there’s a pregnancy registry that you’re encouraged to join. A pregnancy registry collects information about any effects that a drug may have on pregnancy. The information is then studied to determine whether the drug is a safe option for use during pregnancy.

If you’d like to know more about this registry or want to enroll in it, visit the registry website or call 866-961-2388.

Abilify and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Abilify is safe to take while you’re breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warnings

This drug has boxed warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Increased risk of death in certain older people. Certain older people may have an increased risk of death when taking antipsychotic drugs, such as Abilify. Specifically, older people with psychosis that’s related to dementia (a condition involving memory loss) have this increased risk. (With psychosis, you lose touch with reality and may hear or see things that aren’t really there.) Because of this risk, Abilify should not be used by this group of people.

If you have any symptoms of dementia-related psychosis and you’re taking Abilify, talk with your doctor right away. They can recommend appropriate treatment options for your condition.

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger people. Abilify may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children or adults ages 24 years and younger. Anyone who takes Abilify may be monitored by their doctor for new or worsening depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you’re taking Abilify, your doctor may also recommend that your family members also watch for any changes in your mood.

If you’re having new or worsened depression, call your doctor right away. But if you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, call 911 or your local emergency service.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Other precautions

Before taking Abilify, talk with your doctor about your health history. Abilify may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Abilify, see the section “Abilify side effects” above.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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