Aripiprazole (produced by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company and sold as Abilify) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the treatment of schizophrenia, the sixth atypical antipsychotic medication of its kind. More recently it received FDA approval for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Aripiprazole was developed by Otsuka in Japan; in the U.S., Otsuka America markets the drug jointly with Bristol Meyers Squibb.
Adverse events reported in the package insert for aripiprazole include akathisia, headache, nausea, vomiting, somnolence, and insomnia. Otsuka Pharma has reported a low incidence of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), it excluded akathisia from the EPS profile. In addition, because of its novel mechanism of action, Abilify has been linked to mania in several case reports, causing a degenerative, delusional state different from and less severe than those usually suffered in schizophrenia. This is most common when Abilify is prescribed at lower-than-indicated doses.
What is aripiprazole?
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Aripiprazole is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).
Aripiprazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
