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What are Aripiprazole orally-disintegrating tablets?

ARIPIPRAZOLE (Abilify™) helps to treat schizophrenia. Aripiprazole can help you to keep in touch with reality and reduce your other symptoms. It is for patients that have not been helped by other medicines. Occasionally aripiprazole is used to treat other mood disturbances. Generic aripiprazole orally-disintegrating tablets are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• frequently drink alcohol or alcohol-containing beverages
• dementia
• diabetes
• difficulty swallowing
• heart disease
• history of brain tumor or head injury
• irregular heartbeat
• low blood pressure
• Parkinson's disease
• previous heart attack
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual reaction to aripiprazole, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Take aripiprazole tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. These tablets are made to dissolve in the mouth without having to take them with water. Place the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve, and then swallow. While you may take these tablets with water, it is not necessary to do so. If this medicine upsets your stomach, you can take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

The tablets should stay in the unopened blister package until immediately before you take your dose. Do not split the tablets in half.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole can interact with many other drugs. Some of the possible interactions are listed:
• alcohol
• amiodarone
• carbamazepine
• charcoal
• cimetidine
• citalopram
• clarithromycin
• erythromycin
• fluconazole
• fluoxetine
• fluvoxamine
• grapefruit juice
• imatinib, STI-571
• itraconazole
• ketoconazole
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for HIV infection
• medicines for sleep
• nefazodone
• paroxetine
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• prescription pain medications
• primidone
• quinidine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• sertraline
• St. John's wort
• voriconazole

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Aripiprazole?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks before you see the full effects of aripiprazole. Do not suddenly stop taking aripiprazole. You may need to gradually reduce the dose. Only stop taking aripiprazole on your prescriber's advice.

You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how aripiprazole affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Aripiprazole can reduce the response of your body to heat or cold. Try not to get overheated or dehydrated from exercise. Avoid temperature extremes, such as saunas, hot tubs, or very hot or cold baths or showers. Dress warmly in cold weather.

If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking aripiprazole.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Aripiprazole?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• changes in vision
• confusion
• difficulty swallowing
• fainting spells
• inability to control muscle movements in the face, hands, arms, or legs
• loss of balance or difficulty walking
• muscles or joint pain
• restlessness or need to keep moving
• seizures
• weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• weight gain

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect the tablets from exposure to bright light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.