Aripiprazole - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a second generation (atypical) anti-psychotic. This medication is unique in that it has partial agonist activity at the D2,D3, and D4 dopamine receptors.

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Schizophrenia: this medication can be used to treat psychosis, and is approved for use in adolescent patients as well.

Bipolar disorder: this medication can be used to manage acute manic episodes, and it is approved for use in adolescent patients.

Major depressive disorder: this medication may be used in the augmentation of treatment for depression.

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

This medication is administered either orally or by IM injection.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Akathisia can be a side effect of using this medication.

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

This antipsychotic is thought to have the lowest risk of causing tardive dyskinesia.

This medication is thought to be “weight neutral”