Aripiprazole Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Aripiprazole is a type of drug known as an atypical antipsychotic used primarily to treat Schizophrenia and is also used to treat moderate to severe episodes of mania in people with manic depression. In people whose manic episode is controlled with Aripiprazole, the drug may also be used long-term as a mood stabilizer to prevent further manic episodes. Aripiprazole works by acting on dopamine and serotonin (5HT) receptors which are neurotransmitters and are involved in transmitting messages between nerve cells. Psychotic illness is believed to be caused by disturbances in the activity of neurotransmitters (primarily dopamine) in the brain. Aripiprazole works mainly by stabilizing the dopamine activity in the brain.Aripiprazole may be given by injection intramuscularly if there is a need for fast control of agitation and disturbed behavior in people with schizophrenia, or manic episodes. Once behavior has been controlled, the treatment is usually switched to oral treatment with Aripiprazole tablets or oral solution by mouth.

ARIPIPRAZOLE SIDE EFFECTS

Common side effects of Aripiprazole may include tremor, twitching, rigidity, restlessness, agitated and unable to sit still, anxiety, dizziness, sleepiness, headache, blurred vision, fatigue, insomnia, constipation, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Rare side effects of Aripiprazole may include tachycardia, sudden drop in blood pressure, depression, increase or decrease in body weight, prolonged erection, jaundice, fever, hyperglycemia and diabetes, muscle pain, abnormal heart beats, and seizures.

Aripiprazole Warning and Caution

Aripiprazole may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Aripiprazole affects you.

If you feel sleepy or lightheaded while taking Aripiprazole, these side effects are likely to get worse by alcohol.

Unless your physician tells you otherwise, you should not suddenly stop taking Aripiprazole, even if you feel better and think you don't need it any more. This is because Aripiprazole controls the symptoms of the illness but doesn't actually cure it.

Consult your physician right away if you experience abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while taking Aripiprazole.

Consult your physician right away if you experience the following symptoms while taking Aripiprazole: high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. These symptoms may be due to a rare side effect known as the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and your treatment may need to be stopped.

Aripiprazole should be used with caution in:

Seniors over 65 and older.

Severely decreased liver function.

Cardiovascular disease.

Cerebrovascular disease.

Low blood pressure.

High blood pressure (hypertension).

History of seizures.

Diabetes.

Obesity.

Difficulty swallowing.

Aripiprazole should not be given to children under the age of 18.

Aripiprazole is not recommended for treating psychosis in elderly people with dementia, e.g. Alzheimer's disease, as it may increase the risk of stroke or death.

Aripiprazole tablets contain lactose.

Aripiprazole oral solution contains fructose and sucrose.

Aripiprazole and Pregnancy

Aripiprazole is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by the physician. Nursing mothers should switch to bottle-feed while using Aripiprazole.

Aripiprazole Interaction

Aripiprazole may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effects of certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

There may be an increased chance of feeling sleepy if this medicine is taken in combination with alcohol or drugs that can make you drowsy, such as the following:

Tricyclic antidepressants.
Narcotic painkillers, e.g. morphine, codeine.
Benzodiazepines.
Sedating antihistamines.
Sleeping pills.
The following drugs may increase the amount of Aripiprazole in your blood:

Fluoxetine
HIV protease inhibitors
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Paroxetine
Quinidine.

The following drugs may decrease the amount of Aripiprazole in your blood:

Carbamazepine
Efavirenz
Nevirapine
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Primidone
Rifabutin
Rifampicin
(herb) St. John's Wort.

Aripiprazole Overdose

Symptoms of Aripiprazole overdose may include drowsiness, Weakness, Nausea, Vomiting, changes in heartbeat, controllable movements, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. In case of Aripiprazole overdose seek medical attention right away.