Abilify Dosage Guide – Drugs.com

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Generic name: ARIPIPRAZOLE 2mg
Dosage form: tablet, oral solution, orally disintegrating tablet, injection
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 30, 2022.

Schizophrenia

Adults

The recommended starting and target dose for ABILIFY is 10 or 15 mg/day administered on a once-a-day schedule without regard to meals. ABILIFY has been systematically evaluated and shown to be effective in a dose range of 10 to 30 mg/day, when administered as the tablet formulation; however, doses higher than 10 or 15 mg/day were not more effective than 10 or 15 mg/day. Dosage increases should generally not be made before 2 weeks, the time needed to achieve steady-state [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

Maintenance Treatment: Maintenance of efficacy in schizophrenia was demonstrated in a trial involving patients with schizophrenia who had been symptomatically stable on other antipsychotic medications for periods of 3 months or longer. These patients were discontinued from those medications and randomized to either ABILIFY 15 mg/day or placebo, and observed for relapse [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the continued need for maintenance treatment.

Adolescents

The recommended target dose of ABILIFY is 10 mg/day. Aripiprazole was studied in adolescent patients 13 to 17 years of age with schizophrenia at daily doses of 10 and 30 mg. The starting daily dose of the tablet formulation in these patients was 2 mg, which was titrated to 5 mg after 2 days and to the target dose of 10 mg after 2 additional days. Subsequent dose increases should be administered in 5 mg increments. The 30 mg/day dose was not shown to be more efficacious than the 10 mg/day dose. ABILIFY can be administered without regard to meals [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Switching from Other Antipsychotics

There are no systematically collected data to specifically address switching patients with schizophrenia from other antipsychotics to ABILIFY or concerning concomitant administration with other antipsychotics. While immediate discontinuation of the previous antipsychotic treatment may be acceptable for some patients with schizophrenia, more gradual discontinuation may be most appropriate for others. In all cases, the period of overlapping antipsychotic administration should be minimized.

Bipolar I Disorder

Acute Treatment of Manic and Mixed Episodes

Adults: The recommended starting dose in adults is 15 mg given once daily as monotherapy and 10 mg to 15 mg given once daily as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate. ABILIFY can be given without regard to meals. The recommended target dose of ABILIFY is 15 mg/day, as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate. The dose may be increased to 30 mg/day based on clinical response. The safety of doses above 30 mg/day has not been evaluated in clinical trials.

Pediatrics: The recommended starting dose in pediatric patients (10 to 17 years) as monotherapy is 2 mg/day, with titration to 5 mg/day after 2 days, and a target dose of 10 mg/day after 2 additional days. Recommended dosing as adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate is the same. Subsequent dose increases, if needed, should be administered in 5 mg/day increments. ABILIFY can be given without regard to meals [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Adults

The recommended starting dose for ABILIFY as adjunctive treatment for patients already taking an antidepressant is 2 to 5 mg/day. The recommended dosage range is 2 to 15 mg/day. Dosage adjustments of up to 5 mg/day should occur gradually, at intervals of no less than one week [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the continued need for maintenance treatment.

Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder

Pediatric Patients (6 to 17 years)

The recommended dosage range for the treatment of pediatric patients with irritability associated with autistic disorder is 5 to 15 mg/day.

Dosing should be initiated at 2 mg/day. The dose should be increased to 5 mg/day, with subsequent increases to 10 or 15 mg/day if needed. Dose adjustments of up to 5 mg/day should occur gradually, at intervals of no less than one week [see Clinical Studies (14.4)]. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the continued need for maintenance treatment.

Tourette’s Disorder

Pediatric Patients (6 to 18 years)

The recommended dosage range for Tourette’s Disorder is 5 to 20 mg/day.

For patients weighing less than 50 kg, dosing should be initiated at 2 mg/day with a target dose of 5 mg/day after 2 days. The dose can be increased to 10 mg/day in patients who do not achieve optimal control of tics. Dosage adjustments should occur gradually at intervals of no less than one week.

For patients weighing 50 kg or more, dosing should be initiated at 2 mg/day for 2 days, and then increased to 5 mg/day for 5 days, with a target dose of 10 mg/day on Day 8. The dose can be increased up to 20 mg/day for patients who do not achieve optimal control of tics. Dosage adjustments should occur gradually in increments of 5 mg/day at intervals of no less than one week [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].

Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the continued need for maintenance treatment.

Agitation Associated with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Mania (Intramuscular Injection)

Adults

The recommended dose in these patients is 9.75 mg. The recommended dosage range is 5.25 to 15 mg. No additional benefit was demonstrated for 15 mg compared to 9.75 mg. A lower dose of 5.25 mg may be considered when clinical factors warrant. If agitation warranting a second dose persists following the initial dose, cumulative doses up to a total of 30 mg/day may be given. However, the efficacy of repeated doses of ABILIFY injection in agitated patients has not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials. The safety of total daily doses greater than 30 mg or injections given more frequently than every 2 hours have not been adequately evaluated in clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14. 6)].

If ongoing ABILIFY therapy is clinically indicated, oral ABILIFY in a range of 10 to 30 mg/day should replace ABILIFY injection as soon as possible [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 and 2.2)].

Administration of ABILIFY Injection

To administer ABILIFY Injection, draw up the required volume of solution into the syringe as shown in Table 1. Discard any unused portion.

ABILIFY Injection is intended for intramuscular use only. Do not administer intravenously or subcutaneously. Inject slowly, deep into the muscle mass.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

Dosage Adjustments for Cytochrome P450 Considerations

Dosage adjustments are recommended in patients who are known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers and in patients taking concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors or CYP2D6 inhibitors or strong CYP3A4 inducers (see Table 2). When the coadministered drug is withdrawn from the combination therapy, ABILIFY dosage should then be adjusted to its original level. When the coadministered CYP3A4 inducer is withdrawn, ABILIFY dosage should be reduced to the original level over 1 to 2 weeks. Patients who may be receiving a combination of strong, moderate, and weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 (e.g., a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and a moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor or a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor with a moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor), the dosing may be reduced to one-quarter (25%) of the usual dose initially and then adjusted to achieve a favorable clinical response.

Table 2: Dose Adjustments for ABILIFY in Patients who are known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers and Patients Taking Concomitant CYP2D6 Inhibitors, 3A4 Inhibitors, and/or CYP3A4 Inducers

Factors	Dosage Adjustments for ABILIFY
Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers	Administer half of usual dose
Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers taking concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e. g., itraconazole, clarithromycin)	Administer a quarter of usual dose
Strong CYP2D6 (e.g., quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine) or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin)	Administer half of usual dose
Strong CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors	Administer a quarter of usual dose
Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, rifampin)	Double usual dose over 1 to 2 weeks

When adjunctive ABILIFY is administered to patients with major depressive disorder, ABILIFY should be administered without dosage adjustment as specified in Dosage and Administration (2.3).

Dosing of Oral Solution

The oral solution can be substituted for tablets on a mg-per-mg basis up to the 25 mg dose level. Patients receiving 30 mg tablets should receive 25 mg of the solution [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Dosing of Orally Disintegrating Tablets

The dosing for ABILIFY Orally Disintegrating Tablets is the same as for the oral tablets [see Dosage and Administration (2. 1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4)].

Frequently asked questions

• Does Abilify cause gambling addiction?
• Why should you take aripiprazole in the morning?
• Does Abilify cause weight gain?
• Vraylar vs Abilify – How do they compare?
• What is the difference between Abilify and Abilify Maintena?
• How does Abilify MyCite work?

More about Abilify (aripiprazole)

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Patient resources

• Drug Information
• Abilify (Aripiprazole Intramuscular) (Advanced Reading)
• Abilify (Aripiprazole Oral) (Advanced Reading)
• Abilify (Aripiprazole Injection)
• Abilify (Aripiprazole Oral Solution)
• Abilify (Aripiprazole Tablets)

Other brands

Aristada, Abilify Asimtufii, Aristada Initio, Abilify Discmelt

Professional resources

• Prescribing Information

Other formulations

• Abilify Maintena
• Abilify MyCite Maintenance Kit oral with sensor

Related treatment guides

• Bipolar Disorder
• Agitated State
• Autism
• Depression

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Forms, Strengths, How to Use, and More

Abilify (aripiprazole) is used to treat certain mental health conditions or mood disorders. It may be prescribed to adults and some children. The drug comes in oral tablet and injection forms, taken daily or monthly.

Abilify is used to treat these conditions:

• major depressive disorder in adults
• manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and some children, sometimes taken with another drug
• schizophrenia in adults and some children
• irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in some children
• Tourette syndrome in some children

The active ingredient in Abilify is aripiprazole. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Abilify belongs to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.

This article describes the dosages of Abilify, as well as its strengths and how to take it. Some forms discussed are called Abilify MyCite and Abilify Maintena. To learn more about Abilify overall, see this in-depth article.

Below are the usual doses of Abilify in adults.

Note: This chart highlights the basics of Abilify’s dosage in adults. Be sure to read on for more detail, including specific dosages for children.

What are the forms of Abilify?

Abilify comes in the following forms:

• oral tablet that you swallow (Abilify)
• oral tablet with an embedded sensor, which you swallow (Abilify MyCite)*
• powder for mixing with sterile water in a single-dose, prefilled dual-chamber syringe, which is injected into a muscle (Abilify Maintena)
• powder for mixing with sterile water in a single-dose vial, which is injected into a muscle (Abilify Maintena)

* A sensor is embedded in the tablet. You must wear an accompanying patch that records information from the sensor. The information is then sent to a smartphone.

What strengths does Abilify come in?

Abilify oral tablet and Abilify MyCite oral tablet come in the following strengths:

• 2 mg
• 5 mg
• 10 mg
• 15 mg
• 20 mg
• 30 mg

Abilify Maintena syringe and vial come in the following strengths:

• 300 mg
• 400 mg

What are the usual dosages of Abilify?

Your doctor will likely start by prescribing a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages of Abilify and Abilify MyCite that are commonly prescribed or recommended for adults. (You’ll find Abilify Maintena dosages in “What are the usual dosages of Abilify Maintena?” below.) But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for depression

Abilify is approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults. This condition is often called depression.

The usual starting dose of Abilify is 2 mg to 5 mg once per day. If your doctor increases your dosage, each week they will usually add up to 5 mg to your daily dose. The drugmaker recommends a dosage range of 2 to 15 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 15 mg once per day.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder

Abilify is approved to treat manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults. For this condition, Abilify is usually taken with another drug, either lithium or valproate.

The usual starting dosage of Abilify is 15 mg once per day. This is also the recommended maintenance dosage. (This is the dosage you’ll continue to take at the completion of your starting dosage.) The maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.

Dosage for schizophrenia

Abilify is approved to treat schizophrenia in adults.

The usual starting dosage of Abilify is 10 mg to 15 mg once per day. This is also the recommended dosage range. If your doctor increases your dosage, they may wait 2 weeks to learn how the drug affects you. The maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.

What are the usual dosages of Abilify Maintena?

Abilify Maintena is a long-acting form of Abilify prescribed only to adults, not children. It is given by a healthcare professional as an injection into your muscle.

People who are already taking Abilify tablets can receive Abilify Maintena. Likewise, people who are starting Abilify for the first time can receive Abilify Maintena. Continue reading to learn more about its usual injection dosage.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder

Abilify Maintena is approved to treat manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults.

The usual dosage is 400 mg once per month. For 14 days after the first injection, you’ll usually take 10 mg to 20 mg of Abilify oral tablet as well. (This is to help keep a steady level of the drug in your body.) But you might already be taking a different oral antipsychotic drug. In this case, you’ll continue that drug for 14 days after your first Abilify injection.

If you have side effects with the Abilify 400-mg injection, your doctor may decrease your dosage to 300 mg once per month.

Dosage for schizophrenia

Abilify Maintena is approved to treat schizophrenia in adults.

The usual dosage is 400 mg once per month. For 14 days after the first injection, you’ll usually take 10 mg to 20 mg of Abilify oral tablet as well. (This is to help keep a steady level of the drug in your body.) But you might already be taking a different oral antipsychotic drug. In this case, you’ll continue that drug for 14 days after your first Abilify injection.

If you have side effects with the 400-mg injection, your doctor may decrease your dosage to 300 mg once per month.

What’s the dosage of Abilify for children?

The information below describes dosages of Abilify that are commonly prescribed or recommended for children. Be sure to give your child the dosage that your child’s doctor prescribes. They will determine the dosage that best fits your child’s needs.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder

Abilify is approved to treat manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in children ages 10 to 17 years. For this condition, Abilify may be used alone or with another drug, either lithium or valproate.

Your child’s Abilify starting dosage will typically be increased in the first week. As such, the starting dosage schedule may be as follows:

• 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
• 5 mg once per day for the next 2 days
• 10 mg once per day after that

The recommended maintenance dosage is 10 mg once per day. (The maintenance dosage is what your child will continue to take at the completion of the starting dosage.) The maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.

Dosage for schizophrenia

Abilify is approved to treat schizophrenia in children ages 13 to 17 years.

Your child’s Abilify starting dosage will typically be increased in the first week. As such, the starting dosage schedule may be as follows:

• 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
• 5 mg once per day for the next 2 days
• 10 mg once per day after that

The recommended maintenance dosage is 10 mg once per day. (The maintenance dosage is what your child will continue to take at the completion of the starting dosage.)

The doctor may decide to increase your child’s dosage to more than 10 mg once per day. If so, they will usually increase it by 5 mg at a time. During the first week of treatment, the first two dose increases will be every 2 days. Additional increases, if any, will occur after the child has completed at least 1 week at the previous dose. The recommended maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.

Dosage for irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder

Abilify is approved to treat irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children ages 6 to 17 years.

Your child’s Abilify starting dosage will usually be 2 mg once per day. Then the doctor may increase it to a dosage of 5 mg once per day. After that, they may increase it to a dosage of 10 mg or 15 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 15 mg once per day.

When your child’s doctor increases the dosage, it is best done slowly. The dose increase should not be more than 5 mg. During the first week of treatment, the first two dose increases will likely be every 2 days. Additional increases, if any, may occur after your child has completed at least 1 week at the previous dose.

Dosage for Tourette syndrome

Abilify is approved to treat Tourette syndrome in children ages 6 to 18 years. Your child’s dose will depend on their body weight. (For reference, 1 kilogram [kg] is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)

Children who weigh less than 50 kg (less than about 110 lb). Your child’s usual starting dosage will be as follows:

• 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
• 5 mg once per day for the next 5 days
• 10 mg once per day after that

The maximum dosage is 10 mg once per day.

Children who weigh 50 kg or more (about 110 lb). Your child’s usual starting dosage will be as follows:

• 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
• 5 mg once per day for the next 5 days
• 10 mg once per day after that

If your child’s doctor increases the dosage to more than 10 mg once per day, they may do so slowly. The increases will likely not occur more often than once per week and 5 mg at a time. The maximum dosage is 20 mg once per day.

Is Abilify used long term?

Yes, Abilify is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Some people have certain liver conditions that cause their body to break down Abilify more slowly. If you have a certain liver condition, your doctor may start by prescribing a lower dose. You can find out more about genetic testing for these conditions in this article.

Some drugs interact with Abilify. If you take one of these drugs, your doctor may adjust your Abilify dosage. Or they may adjust your dosage of the other drug. Examples of these drugs include:

• paroxetine
• clarithromycin
• carbamazepine
• clonazepam

Talk with your doctor about all the medications you take before starting Abilify. And let them know if you plan to start any new medications.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Abilify’s dosage.

What is Abilify’s maximum dosage?

Abilify has maximum dosages for some conditions it’s approved to treat. The highest dose of Abilify that you’ll take daily depends on the condition you’re taking it to treat.

Below are maximum dosages of Abilify for several conditions:

• major depressive disorder in adults: 15 milligrams (mg) once per day
• manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and children: 30 mg once per day
• schizophrenia in adults and children: 30 mg once per day
• irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children: 15 mg once per day
• Tourette syndrome in children: 10 mg or 20 mg once per day depending on body weight

Talk with your doctor if you think your dosage of Abilify may need to be increased. Do not try to increase or change your dosage on your own.

Is there less risk of side effects from Abilify if I take a lower dose of the drug, such as 5 mg?

Yes, sometimes a lower dose of Abilify may lessen the risk of side effects.

Some people process the drug more slowly. An example is people who have certain liver conditions. In this case, a lower dose can lessen their risk of side effects.

Your doctor usually will prescribe the lowest starting dosage recommended for your condition. For treating some conditions, they may then increase your dosage slowly.

You and your doctor can discuss the risk of side effects and the benefits of treating your condition.

Abilify is sometimes prescribed off-label at different dosages. Off-label means a drug is prescribed for a condition it is not officially approved to treat. Expert medical opinion and ongoing research determine the dosages for off-label uses.

When Abilify is taken off-label, it’s usually prescribed at doses lower than what the drugmaker recommends. This is often called low dose Abilify.

Some very early research has used lower doses of Abilify. This research includes:

• a study in delayed sleep phase syndrome
• a study in obsessive-compulsive disorder
• a study in chronic fatigue syndrome*

Anxiety often accompanies other mental health conditions that Abilify treats. Some early research has studied Abilify for treating anxiety. It found that high dose or low dose Abilify may help for anxiety.

But in the treatment of certain conditions, side effects may include anxiety and agitation. These side effects may occur when treating schizophrenia with Abilify.

Each person responds to medications differently. With Abilify, it’s possible that your anxiety might lessen, get worse, or stay the same. Talk with your doctor about your options for managing anxiety.

* Chronic fatigue syndrome is usually called myalgic encephalomyelitis. It is not the same as mild fatigue (low energy).

The dosage of Abilify that a doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include:

• the kind and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
• your age
• your liver function
• side effects you may experience
• the form of Abilify you’re taking
• other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” in the “What is Abilify’s dosage?” section above)

You’ll swallow Abilify tablets once per day with or without food.

If you take Abilify MyCite tablets, you’ll also swallow them once per day with or without food. With this form of Abilify, you’ll also wear a MyCite Patch that has a sensor. The sensor in the patch receives information from the sensor in the tablet. It also sends information to a smartphone to help keep track of your dosages. Read more about this process on the drugmaker’s website and in the Abilify MyCite medication guide.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

With Abilify Maintena, a healthcare professional will give you the injection once per month. They will inject it into the muscle of your arm or buttock. Read more about this process on the drugmaker’s website.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Abilify, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

• have large print or use braille
• feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your pharmacy might offer these accessibility features. If they don’t, ask your doctor or pharmacist if they can recommend pharmacies that do.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Abilify in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Read more about what to do in the event of an Abilify, Abilify MyCite, or Abilify Maintena missed dose.

Abilify and Abilify MyCite. If you miss your Abilify dose, take the dose when you remember. But if your next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the planned time. Do not take two doses at a time.

If you’re unsure whether to take a missed dose, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Abilify Maintena. If you miss your Abilify Maintena injection, the action you’ll take depends on your dosage schedule. It also depends on the time that has passed since your last injection.

If you miss a second or third injection

• If 4 to 5 weeks have passed since your last injection, a healthcare professional may give the dose right away.
• If more than 5 weeks have passed since your last injection, you may need to restart the injection schedule. Your doctor may also prescribe oral Abilify for 2 weeks.

If you miss a fourth or later injection

• If 4 to 6 weeks have passed since your last injection, a healthcare professional may give the dose right away.
• If more than 6 weeks have passed since your last injection, you may need to restart the injection schedule. Your doctor may also prescribe oral Abilify for 2 weeks.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Abilify on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone. You can also use an alarm or reminder app to remind you of injection appointments.

Yes, there may be a risk of misuse with Abilify. Misuse was not reported in studies, but it is possible because the drug affects your mental state.

If you have a history of drug misuse or dependence, you may be at higher risk of these problems with Abilify. (With misuse, the drug is taken in a way that’s different from its prescribed use. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.)

Talk with your doctor about warning signs of misuse or dependence with Ability. These include developing a tolerance for the drug and unintentionally increasing your dosage.

Do not take more Abilify than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

• fast heartbeat
• convulsions
• heart rhythm changes
• aggression
• tremor
• sleepiness
• vomiting
• atypical lab test results
• blood pressure changes
• slowed breathing
• loss of consciousness
• coma

What to do in case you take too much Abilify

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Abilify. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Some people who take Abilify may develop a dependence on the drug. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. ) So Abilify may lead to withdrawal symptoms if you stop it abruptly.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• fast heart rate
• nausea
• headache

You may also experience returning symptoms of your medical condition if you stop taking Abilify to treat it.

If you’re considering stopping Abilify treatment, talk with your doctor first. They will usually create a taper schedule for you to stop the drug. A taper schedule lowers your dosage gradually to decrease the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Abilify for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Abilify without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Abilify exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my dose of Abilify need to change because of other medications I take?
• What might increase the possibility of side effects?
• How fast will my Abilify dosage be increased?
• Should my oral dosage be for Abilify or Abilify MyCite?
• If Abilify is not working to manage my symptoms, should my dosage increase?

To learn more about Abilify, see these articles:

• All About Abilify
• Abilify Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others
• Side Effects of Abilify: What You Need to Know
• Abilify and Cost: What You Need to Know
• Abilify vs. Rexulti: What You Should Know

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Use of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder | Streltsov

Introduction

Bipolar disorder is an endogenous affective disorder that manifests itself with episodes of mania (hypomania) and depression [1]. There are currently two types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder [2]. Bipolar I disorder is manifested by mania and mixed states [3]. Type II bipolar disorder is manifested by depressive and hypomanic episodes. Manic episodes do not occur in this type of disorder.

Depressive episodes are more pronounced in type II bipolar disorder than in type I [4]. Depressive episodes are the leading manifestation of the disease in patients with bipolar disorder [5]. In a systematic literature review of long-term treated patients with bipolar I disorder, researchers concluded that depression accounts for approximately 70% of affective episodes [6].

The prevalence of bipolar disorder ranges from 1% to 2. 4% [7]. The percentage of suicides in patients with bipolar disorder is 4 – 19% [8].

Problems in the treatment of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder

Adequate treatment of recurrent depressive episodes in bipolar disorder has long been a clinical problem, as antidepressants have failed to demonstrate sufficient efficacy in bipolar depression in short- and long-term studies [9].

Long-term treatment for bipolar type 2 disorder is primarily “prophylactic” in that it aims to prevent and/or reduce the frequency and severity of relapses of affective symptoms through a combination of pharmacological and complementary psychological interventions [10]. Compared to bipolar I disorder, there are limited studies demonstrating the sufficient efficacy of one treatment option over others in bipolar II disorder [11].

Use of atypical antipsychotics in bipolar depression

Lurasidone

Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug with high affinity for dopamine D2 receptors, serotonin 5-HT7 and 5-HT2A receptors, moderate affinity for the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and the absence of a noticeable affinity for h2-histamine and M1-muscarinic receptors [12].

Ishigooka J., Kato T., Miyajima M. et al. conducted a 28-week study of the safety and efficacy of lurasidone. For this, patients were selected from a 6-week, double-blind, randomized study, in which patients were divided into three groups: taking the drug at dosages from 20 to 60 mg, taking 80-120 mg and taking placebo. Efficacy was assessed using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). By the end of week 28, the overall mean MADRS score decreased as in the group previously treated with lurasidone for 6 weeks (by 8.9points) and in the group previously treated with placebo (by 11.3 points). Side effects included akathisia, headache, and drowsiness [13].

Raison C.L., Siu C., Pikalov A. et al. performed a double-blind, 6-week, placebo-controlled study to investigate the association between pre-treatment levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and changes in depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning in 10 patients – 17 years old with bipolar disorder. Patients were divided into groups taking flexible doses of lurasidone (20-80 mg) and groups taking placebo. The study found that patients with high baseline CRP levels responded better to lurasidone treatment than those with low baseline CRP levels, but only in patients with normal or low body mass index (BMI) levels. Lurasidone was more effective than placebo regardless of baseline CRP [14].

Cariprazine

Cariprazine is a partial agonist of dopamine receptors D ₂ and D ₃ , and serotonin receptor 5-HT _1A [1 5]. The unique affinity for the D ₃ receptor may mediate the anti-anhedonic, procognitive, and antidepressant effects of cariprazine [16][17].

Durgam S., Earley W., Lipschitz A. et al. conducted an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine in patients with major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. Patients were randomly assigned to either placebo or cariprazine at doses of 0. 75, 1.5, and 3.0 mg/day. Efficacy was assessed using the MADRS and the severity subscale of the Global Clinical Impression Scale (GCI-S). Cariprazine at 1.5 mg/day showed a significant reduction in MADRS scores from baseline at study week 6 compared with placebo (least squares mean difference was -4.0). When taking cariprazine at a dosage of 3 mg/day, the difference in the mean least squares was -2.5. The 0.75 mg daily dose was similar to the placebo dose.

The most commonly reported adverse events in patients treated with cariprazine were akathisia and insomnia. Weight gain was slightly higher in patients treated with cariprazine than with placebo [18].

Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of cariprazine by Earley W., Burgess M.V., Rekeda L. et al. reported similar results. Patients aged 18 to 65 years who met the DSM-5 criteria for bipolar I disorder with a current depressive episode were selected for the study. Patients were divided into three groups: taking 3 mg cariprazine per day, taking 1. 5 mg cariprazine per day and taking placebo. Efficacy was assessed using MADRS and GCI-S. After 6 weeks, data were obtained that both doses of cariprazine were significantly more effective than placebo. Both doses of cariprazine were associated with lower CGI-S scores compared with placebo, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Side effects in the groups taking cariprazine were recorded twice as often as in the placebo group. The most common side effects were nausea, akathisia and dizziness [19].

Olanzapine

Olanzapine is a drug with affinity for serotonin 5-HT _2A , 5-HT _2C , 5-HT HT ₆ , D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ and D ₅ , muscarinic, adrenergic α ₁ and histamine H ₁ receptors [20].

Katagiri H., Tohen M., McDonnell D.P. et al. conducted a 6-week, double-blind, randomized trial of the efficacy and safety of olanzapine in bipolar depression. Compared with placebo, patients in the olanzapine group showed a decrease in MADRS scores. But in this group, side effects were more common, such as weight gain, increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, and a decrease in high-density lipoproteins [21].

Pan P.Y., Lee M.S., Lo M.C. found that olanzapine
was more effective than lamotrigine in preventing
depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder [22].

Quetiapine

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors [23].

Kishi T., Ikuta T., Matsuda Y. et al. studied the efficacy and safety of extended-release quetiapine 300 mg/day and olanzapine 5-20 mg/day in patients with bipolar depression using Bayesian analysis. As a result, it was found that there is no significant difference in effectiveness between the drugs. In patients treated with quetiapine, drowsiness was a common side effect, and in the olanzapine group, frequent side effects were: weight gain, increased blood prolactin levels, and decreased high-density lipoprotein levels [24].

Simon J., Geddes J.R., Gardiner A. conducted a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing quetiapine alone versus quetiapine plus lamotrigine. It was found that the combination of quetiapine with lamotrigine was more effective than quetiapine alone [25].

Risperidone

Lindström L., Lindström E., Nilsson M. et al. conducted a meta-analysis of 15 RCTs to investigate the efficacy of atypical neuroleptics from 6 months to 4 years in bipolar disorder in 6142 patients. As monotherapy, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone were found to be superior to placebo in reducing the overall risk of relapse [26].

A retrospective study of the effectiveness of taking risperidone to reduce the risk of affective episodes in patients with bipolar disorder showed that additional administration of the drug reduced the risk of developing manic episodes, but did not reduce the risk of developing depressive episodes [27].

In the course of comparing the safety of quetiapine and risperidone in patients with bipolar disorder, it was found that side effects such as weight gain, increased prolactin levels were detected when taking risperidone [28].

Aripiprazole and ziprasidone

Bahji A., Ermacora D., Stephenson C. et al. conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on the efficacy and safety of pharmacological therapy for bipolar depression. During which 50 studies with 11448 patients were analyzed. aripiprazole and ziprasidone were ineffective compared with placebo in the treatment of bipolar depression. Aripiprazole had more side effects than placebo.

Olanzapine, quetiapine and cariprazine were more effective than placebo in the treatment of bipolar depression [29].

In another systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in bipolar disorder, it was found that the drug was effective in the treatment of mania, psychosis, but did not show efficacy in the treatment of bipolar depression [30].

Conclusion

Lurasidone, cariprazine, olanzapine, and quetiapine were significantly more effective than placebo.

Risperidone, aripiprazole and ziprasidone have been shown to be ineffective in the treatment of bipolar depression.

Olanzapine causes more serious side effects (weight gain, increased cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and decreased high-density lipoprotein) than lurasidone, cariprazine, and quetiapine.

Combination of quetiapine with lamotrigine is more effective than antipsychotic alone.

In normal weight children and adolescents with higher pre-treatment CRP levels, lurasidone was associated with a better response to antidepressant therapy than placebo. CRP and BMI may be useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in the treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar depression with lurasidone.

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Contents of issue 5 (141), 2023

1. Comorbidity of major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea

2. Amyotrophic sclerosis and frontal skeletal dementia accompanied by a conversion disorder

3. Hostile psychotic episode on antimicrobial therapy

4. Tuberous sclerosis

   Yu.