About Aripiprazole: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Atypical antipsychotics are a class of medications that includes the generic pharmaceutical medicine aripiprazole. It is used to treat a number of mental health diseases, including Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and autistic spectrum disorder.

Uses

Adults and kids who are at least 13 years old who have schizophrenia. A mental illness called schizophrenia affects a person's thoughts, feelings, and actions. It may result in speech stuttering, delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations.

• Bipolar I disorder-related manic and mixed episodes in adults and children older than 10 years. Extreme changes in mood, energy, and activity levels are symptoms of bipolar I disorder, a mood condition. While mixed episodes are times when mania and depression coexist, manic episodes are characterised by increased energy, exhilaration, and irritability.
• Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). Another name for MDD is depression. It is a widespread and severe mood disease that results in enduring feelings of melancholy, hopelessness, and loss of interest in routine tasks.
• Irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children at least 6 years old is treated with aripiprazole in combination with antidepressants. Developmental disorders like ASD have an impact on behaviour, social interaction, and communication. Aggression, mood swings, tantrums, and self-harming are all examples of irritability.
• Tourette's syndrome in kids at least 6 years old. The neurological condition known as tourette's syndrome results in tics, which are uncontrollable movements and vocalisations. Tics can be vocal or motor, such as grunting or repeating words or blinking or shrugging. 

Dosage

The dosage of an oral tablet containing aripiprazole is determined by the ailment being treated, the patient's age and weight, among other things. For each ailment, the suggested initial doses are:

• Bipolar I disorder: 15 mg once daily for adults; 2 mg once daily for kids. Schizophrenia: 10 or 15 mg once daily for adults; 2 mg once daily for kids.
• Adults with MDD should take 2 to 5 mg once daily in addition to an antidepressant.
• ASD: Children weighing more than 20 kg should take 5 mg to 10 mg once daily; children weighing less than 20 kg should take 2 mg to 5 mg once daily.
• Children with tourette syndrome should take 5 to 20 mg once daily.
• To determine the optimal dose for you, your doctor may gradually modify your dose. Aripiprazole oral tablet has a maximum daily dose of 30 mg for adults and 20 mg for kids.

Aripiprazole oral tablet should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It may be consumed with or without meals. Without consulting your doctor, do not abruptly stop taking it or adjust your dosage.

Negative effects

Some people may experience negative effects from taking aripiprazole oral tablet. Common Side effects include the following:

• Distorted vision
• Increased drooling or salivation
• Muscle rigidity
• Shaking, trembling, feeling anxious, and restlessness
• Gaining weight
• Vomiting, nausea, and constipation
• Changing or decreasing one's appetite
• Headache, lightheadedness, sleepiness, and fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping

There may be major adverse effects that demand medical treatment. Serious side effects can include:

• Allergic response, including hives, itching, swelling, and breathing difficulties
• Diabetes or high blood sugar can result in symptoms like increased hunger, thirst, urination, weight loss, and blurred eyesight.
• High triglycerides or cholesterol, which raise the risk of heart disease
• Having a low white blood cell count can make you more susceptible to infection
• A rare but potentially fatal reaction known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) can induce fever, muscle rigidity, disorientation, an irregular pulse, and excessive perspiration.
• A movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia (TD) can cause uncontrollable facial, oral, and limb motions. Even after stopping the medicine, it could not be curable.

The symptoms of a stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack), which include:

• Abrupt weakness
• Numbness
• Visual loss
• Speech difficulties
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Suicidal ideas or behaviour, particularly in adolescents or those who are depressed.

The side effects listed here are not all of them. Consult the aripiprazole oral tablet drug guide or speak with your doctor or chemist for more details.