All About Abilify Asimtufii

What is Abilify Asimtufii used for?

Abilify Asimtufii helps treat schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder in adults. Both are mental health conditions.

Schizophrenia may be inherited or triggered by stress or trauma. With schizophrenia, you may experience hallucinations (hearing, smelling, feeling, tasting, or seeing things that no one else senses). You may also have delusions (false beliefs). Some people with schizophrenia want to be alone more, or they may think their speech is jumbled. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person.

With bipolar I disorder, you may have periods of a very high mood (mania) or a very low mood (depression). When you experience mania, you may feel chatty or feel as if your thoughts are racing. These symptoms may last for at least 1 week and interfere with your daily life. When you have depression (a depressive episode), you may have problems sleeping or difficulty getting out of bed.

Bipolar disorder has multiple types. If you have a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, you’ve had at least one manic episode, and you may or may not have had a depressive episode. You may also go for long periods of time without experiencing any manic or depressive episodes.

It’s not fully known how Abilify Asimtufii works to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. But it’s thought that the drug helps balance certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. This balance may help ease symptoms of these mental health conditions.

What are Abilify Asimtufii’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Abilify Asimtufii may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects Abilify Asimtufii may cause, but they do not include all the 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 tell you more about the potential side effects of Abilify Asimtufii. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Side effects might differ slightly among people with schizophrenia and people with bipolar I disorder.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects of Abilify Asimtufii that have been reported include:

• changes in weight
• restlessness (akathisia), sleepiness, or dizziness
• pain in the area of an injection
• tremor
• muscle, back, or joint pain
• upper respiratory tract infection
• certain gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, or belly pain

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

To learn about other mild side effects that are possible with this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Abilify Asimtufii can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Abilify Asimtufii, 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 Asimtufii that have been reported include:

• neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which may be life threatening
• tardive dyskinesia (sudden uncontrollable movements)
• new or worsening type 2 diabetes or blood sugar that’s higher than normal
• new or worsening problems with blood cholesterol or triglycerides
• orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing up from a sitting or lying position)
• fainting or falls
• an impulse to gamble or engage in other potentially harmful behaviors
• seizure, especially if you’ve had a seizure before or take certain medications that may increase your risk of seizure
• a feeling as if you cannot think or move as you usually do
• a lower number of certain white blood cells, such as leukocytes or neutrophils, especially if you’ve had these problems in the past
• trouble regulating your body temperature
• difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• boxed warning: increased risk of death in older adults who receive Abilify Asimtufii and also have psychosis related to dementia

For more information on the boxed warning, see the “What should be considered before receiving Abilify Asimtufii?” section.

ALLERGIC REACTION

Abilify Asimtufii’s prescribing information notes that the drug may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

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

What might help

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. They can also determine whether you should keep receiving Abilify Asimtufii.

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

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Abilify Asimtufii. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

What is Abilify Asimtufii’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Abilify Asimtufii that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but your doctor will determine the dosage you receive.

Form and strengths

• Abilify Asimtufii is available as an extended-release suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in single-dose syringes. A healthcare professional gives you the drug as an injection into your buttock muscle. (“Extended release” means the drug releases into your body slowly over time.)
• It comes in two strengths: 960 milligrams in 3.2 milliliters of solution (960 mg/3.2 mL) and 720 mg/2.4 mL.

Recommended dosages

To help treat schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder, your doctor will likely prescribe a dosage of 960 mg every 2 months. If you take certain other medications or have certain genetic (inherited) factors, your doctor may prescribe a dose of 720 mg.

Your doctor may consider the factors below in prescribing your dosage of Abilify Asimtufii:

If you’ve ever received aripiprazole

Your doctor will check whether you’ve ever received any form of aripiprazole (the active ingredient in Abilify Asimtufii). If you have not, your doctor will likely have you take an oral form of the drug for up to 2 weeks before your first Abilify Asimtufii injection. This helps make sure your body responds well to the drug.

If you’re currently taking oral aripiprazole

Some people may already be taking oral aripiprazole when they receive their first dose of Abilify Asimtufii. In this case, they’ll likely continue taking 10 mg or 20 mg of oral aripiprazole for 14 days after the first injection.

If you’re currently taking another antipsychotic drug

Aripiprazole is a type of antipsychotic drug, and your doctor will need to know if you’re already taking another antipsychotic. If you are and you tolerate its side effects, you’ll continue to take it for 14 days after your first Abilify Asimtufii injection.

If you’re converting from Abilify Maintena to Abilify Asimtufii

You may be converting from Abilify Maintena to Abilify Asimtufii. (Abilify Maintena is another form of aripiprazole that’s injected once monthly.) If so, you’ll receive a dose of Abilify Asimtufii at the time you were scheduled to receive your next Maintena dose. (This can occur as long as you’ve received one or more doses of Abilify Maintena.)

If you have side effects with the 960-mg dose, your doctor may reduce your dose to 720 mg.

How to receive

Your doctor will explain how Abilify Asimtufii is given. They’ll also explain how much you’ll receive and how often.

Abilify Asimtufii is available as an extended-release suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in a prefilled syringe. A healthcare professional will give the doses by injection into your buttock muscle. (“Extended release” means the drug releases into your body slowly over time.)

For more information on how you’ll receive Abilify Asimtufii, review the drug’s prescribing information or the manufacturer’s website.

Questions about receiving Abilify Asimtufii

Below are some common questions about receiving Abilify Asimtufii.

• What if I miss a dose of Abilify Asimtufii? If you miss an appointment to receive an injection of Abilify Asimtufii, call your doctor’s office promptly to reschedule. At your next injection, your doctor will consider how long it’s been since your last dose. If it’s been more than 14 weeks, you’ll likely need to take oral aripiprazole for 14 days. (Aripiprazole is the active ingredient in Abilify Asimtufii.)
• Will I need to receive Abilify Asimtufii long term? Abilify Asimtufii is typically used as a long-term treatment. You and your doctor can discuss whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree that it is, you’ll likely receive it long term.
• How long does Abilify Asimtufii take to work? Abilify Asimtufii begins to work after you receive your first dose. But because of how the drug works, it may take a few weeks for you to notice a decrease in your symptoms. Throughout your treatment, your doctor will check whether Abilify Asimtufii is working for your condition.

What should be considered before receiving Abilify Asimtufii?

Below is important information you should consider before receiving Abilify Asimtufii.

Interactions

Receiving treatment with a drug while taking certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Abilify Asimtufii can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements and foods.

Before starting Abilify Asimtufii treatment, 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 take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Abilify Asimtufii. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Abilify Asimtufii. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Abilify Asimtufii and alcohol

It’s not safe to consume alcohol during treatment with Abilify Asimtufii. Both the drug and alcohol can cause sleepiness or dizziness. So consuming alcohol while receiving Abilify Asimtufii can worsen these side effects.

Abilify Asimtufii is an antipsychotic. Like alcohol, antipsychotics may change your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how Abilify Asimtufii affects you.

Other interactions

Abilify Asimtufii can interact with other substances, such as:

• Vitamins or supplements: Abilify Asimtufii interacts with St. John’s wort. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid taking this supplement during your Abilify Asimtufii treatment.
• Foods: Abilify Asimtufii interacts with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Your doctor will likely recommend that you not consume products containing grapefruit during your Abilify Asimtufii treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to receive Abilify Asimtufii during pregnancy. Abilify Asimtufii is an antipsychotic drug. Receiving antipsychotics in the third trimester of pregnancy may cause your baby to have feeding problems or agitation at birth.

If you’re receiving Abilify Asimtufii during pregnancy, consider participating in the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. The registry helps researchers know more about the effects of Abilify Asimtufii in pregnancy. You can enroll by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visiting the website, or you can talk with your doctor to learn more.

Abilify Asimtufii passes into breast milk. The effects this may have on breast milk production are not known. It’s also not known how much of the drug is present in breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before starting Abilify Asimtufii treatment.

Boxed warning

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

Abilify Asimtufii is an antipsychotic drug. Like other antipsychotics, it comes with a warning about an increased risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia who receive the drug.

In studies, multiple causes of death were noted in this group of people. Most people also had other health conditions that may have contributed to their deaths, including heart problems (such as heart failure) or infections (such as pneumonia).

Due to this risk, doctors will not prescribe Abilify Asimtufii for people who have psychosis related to dementia.

Other warnings

Abilify Asimtufii can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Abilify Asimtufii is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Abilify Asimtufii treatment. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• certain heart conditions, such as heart failure or past stroke
• blood pressure problems or the use of certain medications for high blood pressure
• new or worsening type 2 diabetes or blood sugar that’s higher than normal
• new or worsening problems with blood cholesterol or triglycerides
• other conditions or the use of other medications that put you at higher risk of dehydration
• other conditions or the use of other medications that put you at higher risk of falls
• seizure, especially if you’ve ever had a seizure or you take certain medications that may increase your risk of seizure
• a history of gambling or participating in other compulsive activities
• a lower number of certain white blood cells, such as leukocytes or neutrophils
• a past allergic reaction to Abilify Asimtufii
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

What are some frequently asked questions about Abilify Asimtufii?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Abilify Asimtufii.

What should I know about Abilify Asimtufii vs. Abilify Maintena?

Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena contain the same active ingredient, aripiprazole. Both drugs treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder in adults.

Both drugs come as an extended-release suspension, which is a type of liquid mixture. “Extended-release” means that the drug releases into your body slowly over a period of time. While a healthcare professional must inject either drug into a muscle, the injection areas differ. You may receive Abilify Asimtufii in a buttock muscle, but you may receive Abilify Maintena in an upper arm or buttock muscle.

The doses and how often you receive injections differ for each drug. You receive a dose of Abilify Asimtufii once every 2 months, but you receive a dose of Abilify Maintena once monthly.

If you have other questions about how Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena compare, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the best treatment for you.

What should I know about Abilify Asimtufii vs. Aristada?

Abilify Asimtufii contains the active ingredient aripiprazole. Aristada contains a prodrug form of aripiprazole called aripiprazole lauroxil. With a prodrug, your body needs to break it down before using it.

Both drugs are used to treat schizophrenia in adults. But Abilify Asimtufii is also used to treat bipolar I disorder in adults. Neither drug is approved for use in children.

Both drugs come as a suspension, which is a type of liquid mixture. A healthcare professional injects Abilify Asimtufii into a buttock muscle. Similarly, a healthcare professional injects Aristada into an upper arm or buttock muscle.

The doses and how often you receive injections differ for each drug. Abilify Asimtufii injections occur every 2 months. Aristada injections occur monthly, every 6 weeks, or every 2 months.

If you have other questions about how Abilify Asimtufii and Aristada compare, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the best treatment for you.

Abilify Asimtufii cost and coupons

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

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The Abilify Asimtufii Savings Card may also be available.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.