Has your doctor prescribed this medicine called Aripiprazole to you or someone in your family? When that happens, it's very normal for you to have a lot of questions about what kind of medicine it is, what it's used for, and whether there are any side effects. Don't be afraid of anything. Today, we'll talk about this medicine in a way that you can understand, very simply.
What kind of medicine is this? (What is Aripiprazole?)
Simply put, Aripiprazole is a medication that is used to treat several mental health conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called ``Antipsychotic''. This medication is mainly used for:
- Schizophrenia : Treat a mental condition in which the connection between reality and thoughts is disrupted.
- Bipolar I Disorder: Manage a state in which mood swings between extreme happiness (mania) and severe sadness (depression).
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Manage symptoms associated with this condition, such as anger and restlessness.
- Tourette Syndrome: Control uncontrolled body movements and vocalizations (tics).
- Depression: Sometimes, this medication is used in addition to other medications for depression.
Now you might be wondering how this medicine controls these things. It's very simple. Our brains have natural chemicals that control our emotions, behavior, and thoughts. We call these neurotransmitters ``Neurotransmitters. Dopamine and Serotonin are two of the main ones. What Aripiprazole does is balance the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Then the symptoms mentioned earlier are gradually controlled.
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is important for your doctor to know your complete health history before you start treatment. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor .
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. |
|---|
| If you have dementia. |
| If you have diabetes or if someone in your family has it. |
| If you have difficulty swallowing food or liquids. |
| If you have difficulty controlling your muscles. |
| If you have uncontrollable impulses such as gambling, spending money unnecessarily, or overeating. |
| If you have a history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat. |
| If you have suffered a stroke. |
| If you have a decrease in blood counts, such as a decrease in the number of white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells in the blood. |
| If you have low blood pressure. |
| If you have Parkinson's disease. |
| If you have seizures or convulsions. |
| If you have had thoughts, plans or attempts to harm yourself; or if a family member has done so. |
| If you have an allergy to aripiprazole or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use the medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple.
- Take this pill with a glass of water.
- Take the dose prescribed by the doctor at the appointed time. Do not skip doses.
- You can take this before or after meals.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.Doing so could have serious consequences.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
Important: Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children, especially those under the age of 6. Your doctor will advise you on this.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Things to consider when taking medication
It is very important to pay attention to your physical and mental state while taking this medication.
Be aware of changes in mood.
When using this medicine, especially in the early stages, pay close attention to changes in your or your family member's mental state.
- If you feel like your depression is getting worse.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself.
- If you suddenly become angry, restless, anxious, or feel troubled.
- If you are experiencing insomnia or hyperactivity.
If something like this happens, call your doctor immediately.
Dizziness and drowsiness
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. If you are an elderly person, stand up straight when you get up from a sitting position or out of bed. This will reduce the risk of dizziness and falls. Avoid drinking alcohol altogether. Alcohol can change the effects of this medicine and make you more drowsy.
Problems controlling body temperature
This medicine may make it difficult for your body to control its temperature.
- Hot weather: Your tolerance to extreme heat may decrease. So, limit your exposure to the sun and excessive exercise. Wear light clothing and drink plenty of water.
- Cold weather: It can also reduce your tolerance to cold. If you are going out on cold days, dress warmly.
If you feel like you can't control your body temperature, call your doctor immediately.
Other important points
- Eyesight:Your eyes may feel dry and your vision may be blurry. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience some discomfort. Using lubricating drops may help. If the problem persists, see an eye doctor.
- Blood sugar: This medication may increase blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, talk to your doctor about this and ask if you need to make any changes to your diet or medications, if necessary.
- Uncontrollable impulses: Some people may experience unusual impulses, such as gambling, excessive sexual activity, or compulsive shopping, while taking this medication. If you experience any of these, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Tell your doctor right away.
What side effects might I experience?
Like all medicines, Aripiprazole can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrollable body movements (especially of the face, tongue), muscle stiffness, tremors, restlessness, difficulty walking. |
| Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, severe headache, change in vision. |
| High blood sugar | Unusual thirst or urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Other serious symptoms | Low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting), difficulty swallowing, seizures, prolonged painful sexual arousal. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Drowsiness | Feeling sleepy during the day. |
| Weight gain | Weight gain. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Aripiprazole is a medication that should only be used on the prescription of a doctor.
- Avoid stopping the medication for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- Watch out for serious side effects such as sudden changes in mental status, high fever, and uncontrollable body movements. If you notice any of these, inform your doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- Store medication in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Aripiprazole (Abilify) tablets are a psychiatric medication used to treat which disease?
This is one of the most successful new-generation (Atypical) antipsychotic drugs in the world that can control the irritability of children with severe 'Schizophrenia', Bipolar Disorder (an illness that changes anger/happiness), severe Depression, and especially Autism (Autism / Tourette's)! Not only does it eliminate the patient's strangeness and impulsivity, it also reduces the robot-like rigidity (EPS) much more.
💬 How is this (Abilify) different from regular psychiatric medications (Dopamine Blockers)?
This is the biggest magic of this medicine! Other psychiatric medications completely block dopamine in the brain. But this aripiprazole is a dopamine partial agonist. That means it blocks dopamine receptors in areas where dopamine is high, and on the other hand, it stimulates and increases dopamine in areas where dopamine is low/insufficient! It balances the brain's chemicals 100%, like a 'smart thermostat'.
💬 What are the specific and troublesome side effects that patients may experience when taking this pill (Aripiprazole)?
It does not cause weight gain as much as other psychiatric medications (Olanzapine)! But the most annoying side effect of this medication is 'Akathisia'. That is, a restless feeling that makes you unable to keep your legs in one place. The other dangerous thing is that because it plays with dopamine in the brain, some people may develop impulse control disorders (impulse control disorders).
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment