Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It balances brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin to stabilize mood and reduce hallucinations or mood swings. The drug may cause side effects like insomnia, dizziness, or weight changes. It must be used under medical supervision and not stopped abruptly.
Common Use
Aripiprazole belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics—in simple terms, it helps balance certain natural chemicals in the brain, specifically dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals play important roles in mood, thought processes, and behavior. By helping to restore their balance, aripiprazole can reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions.
Aripiprazole is used to treat:
Schizophrenia – a serious mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often causing hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thinking
Bipolar disorder – a condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Aripiprazole is used to treat manic episodes and as a maintenance treatment to prevent future episodes
Major depressive disorder – as an add-on treatment (augmentation) when antidepressant medications alone are not fully effective
Irritability associated with autism in children – helping to reduce aggression, tantrums, and mood swings in children with autism spectrum disorder
Tourette’s disorder – in some cases, to help reduce tics (involuntary, repetitive movements or sounds)
Dosage and Direction
Aripiprazole is usually taken once daily, with or without food. It comes in several forms:
Tablets (swallowed whole)
Orally disintegrating tablets (dissolve on the tongue)
Oral solution (liquid)
Injection (given by a healthcare professional)
The dose depends on the condition being treated, your response to treatment, your age, and other factors. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you and may adjust it over time.
Important: Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without consulting your doctor. Stopping abruptly can cause your symptoms to return or worsen, and may lead to withdrawal effects.
Precautions
Before using aripiprazole, inform your doctor if you have a history of:
Cardiovascular disease (heart problems, high blood pressure, history of stroke or heart attack)
Seizures or epilepsy
Diabetes or high blood sugar
Liver problems
Low white blood cell count
Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements) in the past
Dementia (especially in elderly patients)
Important safety considerations:
Aripiprazole may increase blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight, especially in adolescents. Your doctor will monitor these during treatment
The medication may impair judgment, thinking, or reaction time. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires alertness until you know how it affects you
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis have an increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotics; aripiprazole is not approved for this use
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Aripiprazole may cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns if taken during the third trimester
Contraindications
Aripiprazole is contraindicated—meaning you should not take it—in the following situations:
Known hypersensitivity (allergy) to aripiprazole or any of its components
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis – due to increased risk of death
Caution is advised in patients at risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Possible Side Effects
Common side effects may include:
Headache
Anxiety or agitation
Insomnia (trouble sleeping) or drowsiness
Nausea
Dizziness
Restlessness (akathisia) – a feeling of being unable to sit still
Constipation
Weight gain and tremors (shaking) may also occur.
Serious side effects (less common but require medical attention) may include:
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) – symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, weakness, or confusion
Tardive dyskinesia – involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, or other body parts (may be irreversible)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) – a rare but life-threatening reaction with symptoms including high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and sweating
Seizures
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts – especially in young adults; monitor for unusual changes in mood or behavior
If you experience any of these serious side effects, seek medical attention immediately.
Drug Interactions
Aripiprazole can interact with several medications:
Medications that affect liver enzymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6) may change aripiprazole levels:
Carbamazepine – decreases aripiprazole levels (may require higher dose)
Ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine – increase aripiprazole levels (may require lower dose)
Rifampin – decreases aripiprazole levels
Other interactions:
CNS depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedatives) – may increase drowsiness and dizziness
Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other psychiatric medications – may have additive effects
Always inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are using, including over-the-counter products and herbal remedies.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember—unless it is near the time for your next dose. If that’s the case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.
Overdose
Symptoms of aripiprazole overdose may include:
Vomiting
Tremors
Drowsiness (severe)
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Agitation
Confusion
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical help. Treatment is supportive, and hospitalization may be required.
Storage
Store aripiprazole at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store it in the bathroom. Keep the medication tightly closed and out of reach of children and pets.
Disclaimer
We provide only general information about medications, which does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on this site cannot be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed upon with your healthcare adviser or the doctor in charge of your case. We disclaim reliability of this information and any mistakes it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site, nor for the consequences of self-treatment.
About Our Service Cydoctors.com is an online pharmacy based right here in Cyprus. We understand that managing mental health conditions requires consistency, compassion, and reliable access to your medication—so we’ve made our service straightforward, dependable, and built with your privacy and convenience in mind. Because we’re local to the island, we can arrange delivery in the shortest possible time. For our customers in Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca, we’re pleased to offer overnight delivery, so your aripiprazole can be with you by the next day, helping you stay on track with your treatment and focus on what matters most—your wellbeing.
