Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is used to improve mood, thoughts, and behaviors in adults who have schizophrenia. It's a long-acting medication that's injected into your muscle every 1 to 2 months by your healthcare provider. It's only used in people who can tolerate Abilify (aripiprazole) oral tablets.
Schizophrenia
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a long-acting atypical antipsychotic. It works by balancing chemicals called dopamine and serotonin in your brain. This helps people with schizophrenia to improve their thoughts, mood, and behavior.
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 or nurse 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
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
inability to move the eyes
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
nervousness
pounding in the ears
sticking out the tongue
trouble breathing or swallowing
unusual facial expressions
Rare
Fast heartbeat
high fever
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:
Symptoms of overdose
Infection from breathing foreign substance into the lungs
seizure that will not stop
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
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
difficulty having a bowel movement
fear
hyperventilation
inability to sit still
indigestion
irritability
lightheadedness
need to keep moving
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
hoarseness
increased appetite
joint pain
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
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 be given up to once every 2 months
Good option for people who have a hard time taking medications by mouth
Has fewer side effects compared to some other antipsychotic medications
Patient assistance programs are available to help lower the cost
Can cause high blood sugar and weight gain
Must be injected in the muscle at your healthcare provider's office
Can cause soreness or pain at the injection site
Not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Can be expensive because it's only available as a brand medication
You should receive Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) injection regularly. Mark your calendar or set reminders for your injection appointments. If possible, plan ahead for when you're out of town. If needed, you can get your next injection up to 2 weeks early.
If you don't notice a change in mood or behavior after you first start Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil), it doesn't mean that the medication isn't working. It might take up to several days after your first injection before you see any benefits of this medication.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can make you feel drowsy or sleepy. Be careful and avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car, until you know how this medication affects you.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can cause unusual, uncontrolled, or repetitive movements of your eyes, tongue, face, arm, or legs. Contact your healthcare provider right away because these might be signs of tardive dyskinesia, which can become permanent.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can raise your blood sugar to dangerous levels. Let your provider know if you feel very thirsty, feel very hungry, are needing to urinate more, or if your breath has a fruity smell. You might need to check your blood sugar regularly before and during treatment with Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil), especially if you have diabetes.
Make sure to chew your food completely and swallow carefully while taking Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil). Rarely, this medication can cause the muscles in your throat to not work well and make it hard for you to swallow food.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) might make it hard for your body to maintain a normal body temperature. Drink water to stay hydrated, especially if you're out in the sun or exercising. Be careful if you're traveling to a place that's very hot.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) 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 should not be treated with Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil). If Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) 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 Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil).
Risk factors: Taking antipsychotic medications
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which is a rare but serious condition that can lead to death. Be careful using Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) if you're also on other medications that might cause NMS. Symptoms include a very high fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking clearly, very fast or uneven heartbeat, and sweating. Stop taking Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) and get medical attention right away if you experience these symptoms.
Risk factors: Older adults | Female and 65 years or older | Higher than recommended doses of Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) | Taking Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) for a long time
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can cause uncontrolled and possibly permanent muscle movements in the tongue, face, mouth, lips, neck, hands, arms, legs, and feet (tardive dyskinesia). To lower your risk of tardive dyskinesia, use the lowest dose for your symptoms. Get medical help right away if you notice any unusual movements you can't control.
Risk factors: History of diabetes | History of high cholesterol | Obesity
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can raise your blood sugar, sometimes to dangerous levels resulting in coma or death. Let your provider know if you have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as feeling very hungry or thirsty, urinating more often, stomach pain, weakness, or fruity-smelling breath.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can also cause high cholesterol and weight gain. Your provider might check your weight and order blood tests regularly to make sure your blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight aren't too high.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can make it difficult for you to think through your actions and control your behavior. It can lead to strong urges for certain behaviors, such as gambling, eating, shopping, or sex. Because these behaviors can cause harm to yourself or others, your provider might lower your dose or stop the medication. If you or your loved ones notice a change in behavior, let your provider know.
Risk factors: Starting Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) for the first time | Recent rise in Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) dose | Older adults | Not enough fluids in your body | History of heart problems | History of low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can cause sleepiness, dizziness, difficulty keeping your balance, and drops in blood pressure when you sit up or stand too quickly. This can result in fainting and falling, leading to fractures or other injuries. Sit up or stand up slowly, especially during the first few days after you start Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) or when your provider raises your dose. Your risk of falls is higher if you have heart problems or if you don't have enough fluids in your body. Talk to your healthcare provider if you continue to experience dizziness while taking Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil).
Risk factors: History of low white blood cell counts | Taking other medications that lower white blood cell counts
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can lower the amount of white blood cells in your body and put you at higher risk for serious infection. You might need to get lab work done regularly to make sure your white blood cell 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.
Risk factors: History of seizures | Health conditions that raise the risk of seizures | Age 65 years or older
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) can make you more likely to have 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 of getting seizures.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is only available as an injection by your healthcare provider. Please be aware that Aristada and Aristada Initio are not used in the same way and are not interchangeable.
There are two ways to start treatment on Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil):
Using Aristada Initio: Your provider will inject Aristada Initio 675 mg into the arm or buttock muscle once. You'll also take one dose of Abilify (aripiprazole) 30 mg by mouth once with this injection. Your provider will inject your dose of Aristada either on the same day or within 10 days of the Aristada Initio injection.
Without using Aristada Initio: Your provider will inject your first dose of Aristada into the arm or buttock muscle once. Continue to take your usual dose of Abilify (aripiprazole) tablet by mouth daily for 21 days after this injection.
After your initial treatment, you typically continue Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) with one of the following dosing options:
Monthly injections: 441 mg, 662 mg, or 882 mg
Injection every 6 weeks: 882 mg
Injection every 2 months: 1064 mg
Your dose might differ if you're also taking certain medications that interact with Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil).
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
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.