Aripiprazole is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking aripiprazole. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Do not stop using aripiprazole suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how aripiprazole affects you.
High blood sugar or diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain have happened with drugs like this one. These may raise the chance of heart and brain blood vessel disease.
Low white blood cell counts have happened with drugs like this one. This may lead to a higher chance of infection. Rarely, infections have been deadly. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a low white blood cell count. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take aripiprazole if you are allergic to it.
Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.
To make sure aripiprazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver or kidney disease;
heart disease, high or low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
a heart attack or stroke;
seizures or epilepsy;
trouble swallowing;
diabetes (in you or a family member); or
obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulse-control disorder, or addictive behaviors.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking aripiprazole. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
The liquid form (oral solution) of this medication may contain up to 15 grams of sugar per dose. Before taking aripiprazole oral solution, tell your doctor if you have diabetes.
Aripiprazole may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking aripiprazole.
The orally disintegrating tablet form of this medication may contain over 3 milligrams of phenylalanine per tablet. Before taking Abilify Discmelt, tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.
Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, do not stop taking aripiprazole without your doctor's advice.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of aripiprazole on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using aripiprazole. Ask your doctor about any risk.
