Abilify Asimtufii
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic that's used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder in adults. It's injected into the muscle once every 2 months. Side effects include restlessness, constipation, weight gain, and injection-site pain.
What is Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)?
What is Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) used for?
Schizophrenia in adults
Bipolar I disorder in adults
How Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) works
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic. It's not completely known how Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) works. But it's thought to work by balancing out the levels of chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain to help regulate your thoughts, mood, and behaviors.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)?
Common Side Effects
- Weight gain
- Restlessness
- Constipation
- Pain at injection site
- Sleepiness
Other Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Tremor
- Stuffy nose
- Upper respiratory tract infection
Serious Side Effects
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Dangerously high blood sugar: frequently thirsty, needing to urinate often, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, having fruity breath, having dry mouth
- Serious infections: fever, headache, chills, body aches, cough, weakness
- Impulse-control behavior: intense urges for certain behaviors (e.g., gambling, shopping, binge eating, engaging in sexual activity)
- Seizures
- Difficulty swallowing
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
- High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Pain or trouble swallowing
- Prolonged or painful erection
- Seizures
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination, restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Urges to engage in impulsive behaviors such as gambling, binge eating, sexual activity, or shopping in ways that are unusual for you
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Weight gain
Pros and cons of Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)
Pros
Works well for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder
Given once every 2 months
Don't have to remember to take pills every day
Cons
Takes at least 2 weeks to start to work
Needs to be injected into the muscle by a healthcare provider
Might cause weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar
Hasn't been studied in children
Pharmacist tips for Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)
Make sure to mark your appointments in your calendar to see your provider and receive your Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) doses so you don't miss any of your doses.
Don't suddenly stop Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) without talking to your provider first. Suddenly stopping treatment can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. It can also make your condition worse. If you're interested in stopping the medication, contact your provider. They'll come up with a plan on how to lower your dose slowly over a period of time before completely stopping the medication.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can make you sleepy and dizzy. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how this medication affects you.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause a drop in blood pressure when moving positions, such as from sitting to standing. This is more common when starting treatment and when your dose changes. Make sure to get up slowly and try to hold onto something for stability. If you end up falling or hitting your head, get medical help right away.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) because it can make you sleepier, drop your blood pressure, and raise your risk of accidental injuries.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause impulsive behavior. This can include strong sexual or gambling urges, urges to spend a lot of money, and binge eating. Talk to your provider if you feel these urges and start to have a negative impact on your life.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can make it harder for your body to cool down if your body temperature gets too high. This makes it more likely for you to become dehydrated and your body to overheat. Let your healthcare provider know if you feel very hot or thirsty, notice a change in the amount of sweat or urine you make, or if you notice very dark-colored urine.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can raise your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, ask your provider if you need to check your blood sugar more often while taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole).
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can raise cholesterol (fat) levels in your blood and can cause weight gain. It's important that you eat a healthy and balanced diet low in fat and sugar and maintain a regular exercise routine while taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole).
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can raise your prolactin levels. High prolactin can lead to fertility problems, enlarged male breasts, sexual dysfunction, absence or irregular menstrual periods, and weak bones. Your provider might check your prolactin levels during treatment to make sure they aren't too high.
Although rare, Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause difficulty swallowing, which can raise the risk for choking. Make sure to take small bites of food and eat slowly to lower your risk for choking.
Let your provider know about all the medications you're taking before starting Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole). Don't start any new medications without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. Aripiprazole interacts with a lot of common medications. Examples include carbamazepine (Tegretol), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs), certain blood pressure medications, opioid pain medications, and antihistamines.
Frequently asked questions about Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)
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What are the risks and warnings for Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)?
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
Risk factors: Age 65 years and older with dementia and psychosis
People 65 years and older with dementia sometimes have symptoms of schizophrenia, like delusions and hallucinations (believing, seeing, or hearing things that aren't real). This is called dementia-related psychosis. Older people with dementia-related psychosis have a high risk of death if they take medications like Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole). Because of this risk, Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) shouldn't be used in people 65 years and older with dementia-related psychosis. Let your provider know if you or your loved one has dementia before starting Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole).
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Taking antipsychotic medications like Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause a rare, but life-threatening condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms include fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, and fast or irregular heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole), get medication attention as soon as possible. You provider will probably have you stop taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) and switch you to something else.
Difficulty controlling body movements
Risk factors: Taking other antipsychotic medications | Older age | Female of older age | High dose | Taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) for a long period of time | Parkinson's disease | Lewy body dementia
Antipsychotic medications like Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause uncontrolled body movements, such as eye-twitching or lip-smacking. This is known as tardive dyskinesia. Your risk of this happening is more likely the longer you take medications like Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) and if you're taking a higher dose. If you have Parkinson's disease or certain types of dementia, your risk is higher and you shouldn't take Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole). These movement problems can become permanent. If you experience any uncontrolled movements and aren't able to stop them, talk to your provider right away.
Weight gain, higher blood sugar, and higher cholesterol levels
Risk factors: Diabetes | High cholesterol | Obesity
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can raise your blood sugar and cholesterol levels as well as raise your appetite, all of which can lead to weight gain. Your provider will probably order blood tests regularly throughout treatment with Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) to make sure your blood sugar and cholesterol aren't too high. Make sure to have a healthy and balanced diet low in fat and sugar and maintain a regular exercise routine while receiving Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole).
Intense urges
Some people taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can have compulsive behavior, which are intense urges and behaviors that are hard to control. Let your provider know if you or your loved ones notice new urges or habits when taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole), like gambling, sexual urges, shopping, or binge eating. Your provider might need to adjust or stop your medication.
Changes in blood pressure and balance, leading to higher risk of falls
Risk factors: Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure | History of medical conditions that can lower blood pressure | High Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) doses
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can make you tired, lower your blood pressure, or lose your balance, which can lead to falls. When standing from a sitting or lying position, make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something. If you experience a fall while taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole), contact your provider.
Risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)
Risk factors: History of low blood cell counts
Though rare, Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can lower your white blood cell counts (WBCs) and put you at risk for developing infections. You'll need to get blood tests done regularly during the first few months of taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) so your provider can make sure your WBCs are in a safe range. If your WBC count drops too low, you'll probably need to stop taking Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole). If you develop any signs of infection, such as fever, tiredness, chills, cough, or trouble breathing, and they don't go away, contact your provider right away.
Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
Risk factors: Taking high doses of Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines, anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, and sleep medications. Make sure you know how this medication affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel too sleepy from Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole).
Seizures
Risk factors: History of seizures | Health conditions that raise your risk of having seizures
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can potentially cause seizures. Before starting this medication, let your provider know if you have a history of seizures or have a medical condition that puts you at risk for getting seizures.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)
The typical dose is 960 mg injected into the buttock muscle once every 2 months. Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) can be given up to 2 weeks before or up to 2 weeks after the 2-month scheduled dose. The injection is given by a provider at a clinic or office.
Your provider will adjust the dose based on whether you're a poor metabolizer of Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole), meaning your body doesn't break it down well. Your provider will also make adjustments depending on whether you're taking a medication that interacts with Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole), whether you're having side effects, and how severe they are.
Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) contraindications
Severe allergy to aripiprazole
What are alternatives to Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)?
Schizophrenia in adults
Bipolar I disorder in adults
Schizophrenia in adults
Bipolar 1 disorder in adults
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References
Best studies we foundBertilsson, L., et al. (2002). Molecular genetics of CYP2D6: Clinical relevance with focus on psychotropic drugs. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Management of Bipolar Disorder Work Group. (2023). VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for management of bipolar disorder. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
Management of First-Episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia Work Group. (2023). VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for management of first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
McQuade, R. D., et al. (2004). A comparison of weight change during treatment with olanzapine or aripiprazole: Results from a randomized, double-blind study. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Mizuno, Y., et al. (2014). Pharmacological strategies to counteract antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic adverse effects in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin.
Muench, J., et al. (2010). Adverse effects of antipsychotic medications. American Family Physician.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (2023). Abilify Asimtufii- aripiprazole injection, suspension, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.
Ribeiro, E. L. A., et al. (2018). Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole for the treatment of schizophrenia: An overview of systematic reviews. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016). FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about new impulse-control problems associated with mental health drug aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada).
You and Your Hormones. (2023). Prolactin. Society for Endocrinology.
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