Abilify Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication. It treats mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar 1 disorder, among others. And it’s FDA approved for adults and children 6 years and older.
The typical Abilify dosage for adults is 10 mg to 15 mg by mouth once daily. For children, the typical Abilify dosage is 5 mg to 10 mg by mouth once daily. The dosage may vary based on your medical condition and other medications you’re taking.
Abilify is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
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Table of contents
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication. It treats a number of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It also treats Tourette’s Syndrome and irritability associated with autism in children.
Below, we’ll look at the recommended Abilify dosages. Keep in mind that you may be taking a different dosage than what’s discussed below. So be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
What are the available dosage forms of Abilify?
Abilify is available in a variety of dosage forms, including an oral tablet, oral disintegrating tablet (ODT), and oral solution. Each form is available in different doses:
• 2 mg | • 10 mg | • 1 mg/mL |
You can take Abilify at any time of day, with or without food.
Abilify tablets shouldn’t be crushed, cut, or chewed. Abilify ODTs comes in a blister pack that you shouldn’t open until right before taking it. Also, it’s helpful to know that the Abilify oral solution contains a small amount of sugar. This may be a concern if you or your child have diabetes or are sensitive to sugar.
Abilify treats conditions that may make it harder for you to remember to take your daily medication. And it’s difficult for your healthcare provider to adjust your dose if they aren’t sure you’re taking it every day. Abilify Mycite is a drug-device combination designed to help. Each tablet of Abilify Mycite has a sensor in it to track whether or not you take the medication. It helps provide information on missed doses that may help your healthcare provider find the right treatment for you.
If you’re having trouble taking Abilify every day, there are also injectable forms available. Abilify Maintena is a once-monthly injection. And Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is an injection that’s given every 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Your healthcare provider will give these injections in a medical office — as they’re not meant for at-home use. For that reason, this dosage guide will only provide information on oral dosage forms.
What’s the typical Abilify dosage for adults?
The typical Abilify dosage depends on your age, other medical conditions you might have, and other medications you’re taking. Below are the recommended Abilify dosages for adults.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can change the way you think and behave. People living with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking and speech.
The recommended starting Abilify dosage for adults living with schizophrenia is 10 mg to 15 mg by mouth once daily. After two weeks, your healthcare provider may increase your dosage based on how you respond. The maximum recommended dose is 30 mg per day.
Bipolar 1 disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes severe mood swings. These mood swings often include periods of depression. In bipolar 1 disorder, they also include periods of mania.
The recommended starting Abilify dosage for adults with bipolar 1 disorder is 15 mg by mouth once daily. If you’re also taking lithium (Lithobid), divalproex (Depakote), or valproic acid, you may start with a 10 mg dose of Abilify instead. The maximum recommended Abilify dosage is 30 mg per day.
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder, also referred to as simply “depression,” is a mental health condition that affects your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Symptoms include losing interest or enjoyment in activities and having fatigue or low energy.
Abilify is only approved as an adjunctive treatment for depression. This means you should only take it if you’re already taking an antidepressant. Abilify isn’t approved to treat depression on its own.
The recommended starting Abilify dosage for adults with depression is 2 mg to 5 mg by mouth once daily. From there, it can go as high as 15 mg by mouth once daily. But it’s best to raise the dose gradually, if needed. It’s typically recommended to raise the dose by no more than 5 mg per day and to wait at least 1 week between adjustments.
What’s the typical Abilify dosage for children?
Abilify is also approved for children and adolescents. But each condition is approved for a different age group. Keep in mind that your child’s healthcare provider may recommend a different dosage than what’s covered below. It’s best to follow their instructions.
Schizophrenia
Abilify is approved for schizophrenia in adolescents 13 to 17 years old. The recommended dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily. But it’s best to start with 2 mg daily and increase according to the following schedule:
Days 1 and 2: 2 mg daily
Days 3 and 4: 5 mg daily
Day 5 and beyond: 10 mg daily
If higher doses are needed, it’s recommended to increase the daily dose by 5 mg at a time. The maximum recommended dosage is 30 mg per day.
Bipolar 1 disorder
Abilify is approved for children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 years old with bipolar 1 disorder. The recommended dosage is 10 mg per day. The following initial dosing is also recommended:
Days 1 and 2: 2 mg daily
Days 3 and 4: 5 mg daily
Day 5 and beyond: 10 mg daily
If needed, the dose can go up to 30 mg per day. But this should happen 5 mg at a time.
Irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder can lead to challenges socializing and interacting with others. In some cases, irritability symptoms associated with autism can also lead to aggression and self-harm.
Abilify is FDA approved to treat irritability associated with autism in children and adolescents 6 to 17 years old. The recommended starting Abilify dosage is 2 mg by mouth once daily, followed by an increase to 5 mg per day.
If needed, it’s advised to raise the dose by no more than 5 mg per day and to wait at least 1 week between adjustments. The maximum recommended dosage is 15 mg by mouth once daily.
Tourette’s syndrome
Tourette syndrome causes involuntary movements and tics, which may include eye blinking, coughing, or arm movements.
Abilify is approved for Tourette’s Syndrome in children and adolescents ages 6 to 18 years old. The recommended Abilify dosage depends on the child’s weight.
Weight of less than 50 kg (110 lbs):
Day 1 and 2: 2 mg per day
Day 3 and 4: 5 mg per day
The dose can be raised to a maximum of 10 mg per day if needed to control tics. It’s advised to wait at least 1 week between dosage changes.
Weight of 50 kg or more:
Day 1 and 2: 2 mg per day
Days 3 to 7: 5 mg per day
Day 8: 10 mg per day
The dose can be raised to a maximum of 20 mg per day if needed to control tics. It’s advised to wait at least 1 week between dosage changes. And to raise the dose by no more than 5 mg at a time.
What happens if you miss a dose of Abilify?
If you miss a dose of Abilify, you should take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next regular dose, you should skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses at the same time.
If you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They can best advise you on how to get back on track with your medication. If this happens often, consider using a pill organizer or medication reminder app to help. You can also ask your healthcare provider if Abilify Mycite or an injectable form of Abilify are an option for you.
What should you do if you take too much Abilify?
If you take an extra dose of Abilify by mistake, it’s unlikely to cause serious problems. But you may experience more Abilify side effects, such as headache or nausea.
Taking large doses of Abilify can lead to serious side effects. The most common symptoms of too much Abilify are drowsiness, vomiting, and tremor. It may also cause seizures or problems with your heartbeat.
If you or a loved one takes too much Abilify, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider right away or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They’ll be able to recommend supportive or emergency care based on your symptoms.
How to save on Abilify
There are many ways to save on Abilify, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Abilify’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $13.25 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 for brand-name Abilify using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Abilify is approved to treat several mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar 1 disorder, and depression. The typical Abilify dosage for adults is 10 mg to 15 mg per day. For children, the typical Abilify dosage is 5 mg to 10 mg per day. The dosage may vary based on your medical condition and other medications you’re taking. Your healthcare provider will help determine the best Abilify dosage for you or your child.
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References
Alkermes Inc. (2018). Aristada [package insert].
Apotex Corp. (2022). Aripiprazole [package insert].
A-S Medication Solutions. (2023). Aripiprazole [package insert].
Kalvin, C. B., et al. (2021). Assessing irritability in children with autism spectrum disorder using the affective reactivity index. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Aripiprazole.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. (2022). Abilify [package insert].
Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Aripiprazole [package insert].
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