Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) is taken by mouth and used to treat adults with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and used along with other medications to treat adults with depression. It's a drug-device combination product made of an aripiprazole (Abilify) tablet with an Ingestible Event Marker (IEM) sensor inside it. It also comes with a wearable patch that tracks the medication in your body. In order to use the Mycite system, you'll need to download and use the Mycite application (app) on a smartphone.
Schizophrenia
Bipolar I disorder
Major depressive disorder (add-on treatment)
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic that helps to improve your thoughts, mood, and behavior by affecting the dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain.
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) works by having an IEM sensor inside the aripiprazole tablet, which can be detected by a wearable patch. The data from the patch gets sent to a smartphone app so you can track the medication in the body. Watch the instructional video to see how the Abilify Mycite system works.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Difficulty with speaking
loss of balance control
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
restlessness
shuffling walk
stiffness of the limbs
twisting movements of the body
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
Less common
Blurred vision
dizziness
headache
inability to move the eyes
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
sticking out the tongue
trouble with breathing or swallowing
unusual facial expressions
Rare
High fever
high or low blood pressure
increased sweating
lip smacking or puckering
loss of bladder control
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
puffing of the cheeks
rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue
seizures
severe muscle stiffness
sudden loss of consciousness
tiredness
uncontrolled chewing movements
uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs
unusually pale skin
Incidence not known
Hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
redness of the skin
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
belching
blurred vision
difficulty having a bowel movement
fear
hyperventilation
inability to sit still
indigestion
irritability
lightheadedness
need to keep moving
nervousness
rash
shaking
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
trouble sleeping
Less common
Accidental injury
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
body aches or pain
congestion
difficulty with moving
dryness or soreness of the throat
hoarseness
increased appetite
increased salivation
joint pain
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
rapid weight gain
swollen joints
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
voice changes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Can track medication progress inside the body
Only taken once daily
App shares your health information directly with your provider
Dedicated tech support team for your Mycite system
Requires a smartphone
Need to wear a patch to track the medication
The kit might be a little confusing when using for the first time
Available as brand only, so can be expensive
If you're using Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) for the first time or if you need a new pod, make sure you get the starter kit. The starter kit contains a reusable pod, a device that pairs the sensor to your app, that can be used for up to one year. If you're getting refills of this medication, you can get the maintenance kit which doesn't come with the reusable pod.
Before taking Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole), make sure you download the application on your smartphone and pair it with the patch.
Place the patch on skin that's not scraped, cracked, swollen, or irritated. If your skin becomes irritated, take the patch off. You'll need to change the patch at least once weekly. Choose a new spot on the body every time you change the patch.
Let your provider know if you are going for an MRI procedure because your patch needs to be removed beforehand.
Take Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) once daily with or without meals. Swallow this medication whole. Don't divide, crush, or chew it.
Antipsychotics including Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can sometimes be hard to swallow and enters the lungs by mistake. Let your provider know if you are at risk of getting lung infections by having food, saliva, or other materials accidentally breathe into your lungs.
Let your provider know of any signs and symptoms of worsening behavior or suicidal thoughts, especially in the first few months of starting Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) or changing to a new dose.
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can make it harder for your body to cool down. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated if you're exercising. Avoid staying out in the sun for too long or doing other activities that can raise your body temperature.
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) might make you feel sleepy, so don't drive or operate any machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Since Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can raise blood sugar levels, let your provider know if you experience extreme thirst or frequent urination.
Let your provider know if you have a history of seizures because Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can make it easier to get a seizure, especially in people 65 years or older.
Abilify Mycite (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.
Risk factors: Older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Older adults who also have dementia sometimes have some symptoms of schizophrenia, like hallucinations and delusions. This is called dementia-related psychosis, and it shouldn't be treated with Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole). If Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) is used for dementia-related psychosis, it can cause death. The cause of death is typically from heart problems, stroke, or infections. Let your provider know if you or your loved one has dementia before starting Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole).
Risk factors: Children and young adults
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) hasn't been studied for safety and effectiveness in children. Children and young adults have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when taking antidepressants. Let your provider know if you or your child's behavior get worse or develop suicidal thoughts, especially in the first few months of starting this medication or when the dose changes. Ask family members or caregivers to pay attention to any thought and behavior changes as well.
Risk factors: Taking antipsychotic medications
Antipsychotic medications like Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can cause a rare but life-threatening reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Symptoms can include high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal pulse or blood pressure, fast heartbeat, sweating, and heart rhythm problems. Stop taking Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) and get emergency medical help if you experience any of those symptoms.
Risk factors: Older adults | Female and 65 years or older | Taking high doses of antipsychotic medications | Taking Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) for a long time
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) might cause a type of movement problem that you can't control called tardive dyskinesia. This problem might be permanent, but sometimes it can go away after the medication is stopped. Although it can happen to anyone, the risk is higher in older adults, especially older females. The risk of tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it'll become permanent is also higher if you take this medication for a long period of time or if you take many antipsychotic medications at the same time. Let your provider know if you have movements that you can't control in your face, tongue, or other body parts while taking Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole).
Risk factors: History of diabetes | History of high cholesterol | Obesity
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can cause high blood sugar levels. Although rare, sometimes high blood sugar levels can lead to high blood ketones, coma, or death. If you have diabetes or at risk of getting diabetes, your provider might have you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole). Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of high blood sugar, such as frequent thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness.
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can also cause high cholesterol levels and weight gain, so these levels might be checked regularly throughout your treatment.
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) might cause people to develop intense urges that are hard to control. Let your provider know if you experience new urges or habits when taking Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole), such as gambling, sexual urges, shopping, eating or binge eating. If you start acting without thinking or having urges that you can't resist, your provider might adjust or stop your medication.
Risk factors: Older adults | History of heart problems | Dehydration | Taking medications that lower blood pressure
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can cause sleepiness, loss of balance, and low blood pressure, especially upon standing. These effects can raise the risk of falling, which can cause injuries. Let your provider know if you are taking other medications that also affect your blood pressure and make it easier to fall. Since Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can cause sleepiness and drowsiness, don't drive or operate any machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Risk factors: People with low white blood cells | Taking medications that lower the white blood cell count
Abilify Mycite (aripiprazole) can lower your white blood cell (WBC) count. When you have low WBC levels, your body has a harder time fighting off germs and this puts you at a higher risk for infections. You might need to get lab work done regularly to make sure your WBC count is healthy. If the levels are too low, your provider might stop your medication. Talk to your provider right away if you experience symptoms of an infection, such as fever, weakness, or sore throat, while taking this medication.
Schizophrenia: The typical dose is 10 mg to 15 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 30 mg per day.
Bipolar I disorder: The typical dose is 10 mg to 15 mg by mouth once daily, depending on whether or not you're taking it with lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), or divalproex (Depakote)). The maximum dose is 30 mg per day.
Major depressive disorder: The typical dose is 2 mg to 15 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 15 mg per day.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Schizophrenia
Bipolar I disorder
Major depressive disorder (add-on treatment)
Tourette syndrome in children
Depression (add-on treatment)
Irritability associated with autistic disorder in children
Schizophrenia - people ages 13 years and older
Manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder - people ages 10 years and older
Irritability associated with autism - children ages 5 to 17 years old
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.