Abilify (aripiprazole) is a prescription drug used to treat schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. Abilify comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Specifically, Abilify is used to treat:

To learn more about Abilify’s uses, see the “What is Abilify used for?” section.

Abilify basics

Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.

Abilify is a brand-name medication that’s also available as the generic drug aripiprazole.

Other forms of Abilify

This article is about Abilify oral tablets. The drug is also available in two liquid suspensions (Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena) for injection into a muscle by a healthcare professional. The liquid suspension forms are not covered in this article. For more information about them, including their uses, talk with your doctor.

Abilify has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “What should be considered before taking Abilify?” section.

Here are a few details about the main conditions Abilify is used to treat. For answers to your specific questions, talk with your doctor.

Depression

Abilify is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, along with other antidepressant medications. With MDD, you have symptoms of depression almost every day for at least 2 weeks. Symptoms of depression can include:

Bipolar disorder

Abilify is used to treat manic and mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder. For this use, Abilify is prescribed for adults and children ages 10 years and older. Bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood. These shifts usually alternate between episodes of depression and mania (periods of high energy and excitement). Bipolar I disorder is diagnosed after at least one episode of mania has occurred. With mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, you may have:

  • periods of depression that happen along with symptoms of mania, or
  • periods of mania that happen along with symptoms of depression

Autism

Abilify is used to treat irritability related to autism spectrum disorder in children ages 6 years and older. Autism is a developmental disorder. It may affect how you think, act, and feel. Autism can also cause behavior changes, such as irritability. Abilify is used to treat the episodes of irritability that can happen with this condition. Autism can cause a wide variety of symptoms. For example, with autism, you may have trouble:

  • expressing how you feel or what you need
  • adapting to new routines
  • relating to others
  • making eye contact

Schizophrenia

Abilify is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older. With schizophrenia, you have two or more of the following symptoms for at least 1 month:

  • hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t really there)
  • delusions (belief in things that aren’t real)
  • loss of focus
  • extremely disorganized behavior, such as being agitated or unable to coordinate your muscle movements
  • loss of interest in work, school, or other activities

Tourette syndrome

Abilify is used to treat Tourette syndrome in children ages 6 years and older. Tourette syndrome causes involuntary and repetitive movements.

With Tourette syndrome, you may also make involuntary sounds that you cannot control. For example, you may stick out your tongue or blink your eyes. And you may find yourself shouting or repeating certain words and phrases without being able to stop.

Like most drugs, Abilify may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Abilify may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can explain the potential side effects of Abilify and suggest ways to reduce them.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects Abilify can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Abilify’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Abilify that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Abilify” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Abilify can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Abilify, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Abilify that have been reported include:

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Abilify” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Abilify can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Abilify.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Abilify, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Read more about Abilify’s side effects.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Abilify that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Abilify is available as an oral tablet that you swallow. It comes in the following strengths:

  • 2 milligrams (mg)
  • 5 mg
  • 10 mg
  • 15 mg
  • 20 mg
  • 30 mg

Recommended dosages

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Abilify that’s right for you. Typically, you’ll take Abilify once daily. Read more about Abilify’s dosage.

Questions about taking Abilify

Below are some common questions about taking Abilify.

  • What if I miss a dose of Abilify? If you miss an Abilify dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, you can skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at its usual time. If you aren’t sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Will I need to use Abilify long term? Yes, you most likely will. If the drug is working for you and it’s not causing bothersome side effects, your doctor may prescribe Abilify long term.
  • How long does Abilify take to work? You may take Abilify for a couple of weeks before you notice your symptoms begin to ease.
  • Can Abilify be chewed, crushed, or split? No. Abilify tablets should be swallowed whole. Here are some helpful tips for how to swallow a pill. If you find it difficult to swallow Abilify tablets whole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Should I take Abilify with food? You can take Abilify with or without food.

Overdose

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

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an Abilify overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much Abilify

Call your doctor 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.

Here is important information to consider before taking Abilify.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, and foods can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Abilify can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Abilify. It can also interact with certain supplements and foods.

Before taking Abilify, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Learn more about Abilify’s interactions.

Abilify and alcohol

Drinking alcohol while taking Abilify may worsen some of Abilify’s side effects. Examples of these side effects include sleepiness, nausea, and dizziness.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Abilify.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Abilify and pregnancy

It isn’t known whether Abilify is safe to take while you’re pregnant. The drug hasn’t specifically been studied during pregnancy.

Studies do not show a clear association between the use of antipsychotic medications like Abilify and major problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects).

However, neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs, including Abilify, during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (drug-induced movement disorders) after birth, including:

These symptoms can be mild or severe. Recovery can occur within hours or days without specific treatment. But in some cases, prolonged hospitalization is required to manage symptoms.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Abilify treatment.

If you take Abilify during pregnancy, consider enrolling in the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. Pregnancy registries collect information about the safety of drugs when used during pregnancy. For more information, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the registry’s website or call 866-961-2388.

Abilify and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Abilify is safe to use while breastfeeding. If it’s used while breastfeeding, Abilify may:

  • pass into breast milk
  • cause children who are breastfed to have difficulty gaining weight
  • lower milk supply, according to some reports

Your doctor can provide more information about taking Abilify while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Boxed warnings

Abilify has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Boxed warnings for Abilify include:

  • Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Certain drugs used to treat depression, such as Abilify, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This risk especially affects children and adults ages 24 years and younger.
  • Increased risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia: Abilify should not be used in adults ages 65 years and older who have psychosis related to dementia. With psychosis, you have trouble understanding what’s real and what isn’t real. And with dementia, you have trouble with memory, thinking, and other brain functions. In some cases, antipsychotic drugs, such as Abilify, can increase the risk of stroke and death when used in older adults who have this condition.

For more information about these Abilify boxed warnings, talk with your doctor.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Weight gain

You may gain weight while you’re taking Abilify. This was a common side effect in studies of the drug.

You may have weight gain with Abilify because of changes in your body’s metabolism. (Metabolism refers to processes that keep your body functioning as it should.)

What might help

If you have bothersome weight gain while you’re taking Abilify, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help you maintain a weight that’s healthy for you during your treatment.

Problems with sleep, such as sleepiness and insomnia

You may have problems with sleep while you’re taking Abilify. These side effects were common in studies of the drug.

Abilify may cause different types of sleep problems in different people. For example, you may have excessive sleepiness after taking Abilify. Or you may have insomnia instead.

What might help

Until you know how Abilify affects you, you should not drive or perform tasks that require coordination. Doing these activities can be dangerous if Abilify makes you sleepy.

If you have sleepiness or insomnia while taking Abilify, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to manage these side effects.

Other warnings

Abilify may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Factors that can make a drug dangerous to take are sometimes called contraindications.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Abilify. Factors to consider include:

  • Blood pressure or other heart problems: Tell your doctor about any heart problems you have before starting Abilify. Especially tell them if you have a history of heart failure or heart attack. Tell your doctor if you take or have ever taken blood pressure drugs. Abilify can cause orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure after standing). Your risk of this side effect may be higher if you already have heart problems. Your doctor can tell you whether it’s safe to take Abilify.
  • Low level of white blood cells: Taking Abilify can lower your level of white blood cells, increasing your risk of infection. If you already have a low level of white blood cells, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. Your doctor can recommend whether Abilify is safe for you.
  • Diabetes: Abilify can cause changes in your metabolism, which can result in high blood sugar levels. Before starting Abilify, be sure to tell your doctor if you have diabetes. They’ll likely monitor your blood sugar level more closely than usual while you’re taking this drug.
  • Seizures: Abilify may cause seizures. Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you currently have seizures or have had them in the past. Your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe for you to take Abilify.
  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Abilify or any of its ingredients, you should not take Abilify. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Abilify.

Is Abilify addictive?

Probably not. In Abilify’s studies, the drug wasn’t shown to cause misuse or dependence in people. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Dependence means your body needs a drug to function like usual.)

These conditions can sometimes lead to addiction. With addiction, a substance is taken even though it may be causing harmful outcomes.

If you have concerns about addiction with Abilify, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does coming off Abilify cause withdrawal symptoms?

Yes, coming off Abilify may cause withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking the drug.

Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in studies of Abilify. But there was a report of withdrawal symptoms in someone who stopped taking Abilify. This case happened after the drug became available for use.

The timeline of withdrawal from Abilify isn’t known for sure. But possible symptoms you may have after stopping Abilify “cold turkey” (suddenly) include:

Do not stop taking Abilify unless your doctor tells you it’s safe to do so.

When it’s time for you to stop taking the drug, your doctor will show you how to taper off Abilify. They’ll likely lower your Abilify dosage slowly over time. If you have questions about stopping the lowest dose of Abilify (2 mg), talk with your doctor.

Is Abilify used for anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage for anxiety?

Abilify isn’t approved to treat anxiety. But it may be used off-label for this purpose. (Off-label use means a drug is given for a condition it hasn’t been approved to treat.)

To learn more about using Abilify to treat anxiety, including its dosage for this use, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. To view a list of Abilify’s approved uses, see the “What is Abilify used for?” section.

What does Abilify do to your brain? How does it work and what’s its half-life?

Abilify’s mechanism of action (the way it works) isn’t known for sure.

Abilify is thought to affect brain chemicals called dopamine and serotonin. High levels of these chemicals can help you manage behaviors and thoughts and improve your mood.

A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of its dose to leave your system. The half-life of Abilify is about 75 hours.

If you have more questions about how Abilify works or affects your body, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s possible that Abilify can be misused. Misuse means taking a drug differently from how it was prescribed.

To lower the risk of misuse with Abilify, it’s important to take the drug exactly as your doctor prescribes. They may also monitor you during your treatment for any signs of misuse.

Abilify and Rexulti are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Abilify has other uses, too.

Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole, while Rexulti contains the active ingredient brexpiprazole. An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.

Learn more about Abilify vs. Rexulti. Ask your doctor which drug is right for you.

Abilify and Latuda are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Abilify has other uses, too.

Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole, while Latuda contains the active ingredient lurasidone.

Learn more about Abilify vs. Latuda. Talk with your doctor about which medication is best for your condition.

Abilify and Vraylar are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These drugs each have other uses, too.

Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole. But Vraylar contains the active ingredient cariprazine.

Learn more about Abilify vs. Vraylar. Talk with your doctor about which medication is best for you.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Abilify. What you’ll pay for Abilify may depend on several factors, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few factors to consider regarding cost:

  • Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Abilify when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.)
  • Generic form: Abilify is available as the generic drug aripiprazole. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic aripiprazole could be an option for you.
  • Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also be eligible for an Abilify savings card from the manufacturer.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.

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.

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