abilify or aripiprazole

What is Abilify?
• Abilify is an antipsychotic medication abilify or aripiprazole. It works by changing the actionsof chemicals in the brain abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide abilify or aripiprazole.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Abilify?
• Before taking Abilify, tell your doctor if you have
· liver disease;
· heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure,angina, previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeats; or
· seizures or epilepsy abilify or aripiprazole.
• You may not be able to take Abilify, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify is in the FDA pregnancy category C abilify or aripiprazole. This means that it is notknown whether Abilify will be harmful to an unborn baby abilify or aripiprazole. Do not take Abilifywithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment abilify or aripiprazole.
• It is not known whether Abilify passes into breast milk abilify or aripiprazole. Do not takeAbilify without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby abilify or aripiprazole.

How should I take Abilify?
• Take Abilify exactly as directed by your doctor abilify or aripiprazole. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you
• Take each dose with a full glass of water abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify can be taken with or without food abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify is usually taken once a day abilify or aripiprazole. Follow your doctor's instructions abilify or aripiprazole.
• It is important to take Abilify regularly to get the most benefit abilify or aripiprazole.
• Do not stop taking Abilify without first talking to your doctor, evenif you are feeling well abilify or aripiprazole. Even after your symptoms improve, you may require continuoustreatment for quite some time abilify or aripiprazole.
• Store Abilify at room temperature away from moisture and heat abilify or aripiprazole.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, during the same day abilify or aripiprazole. Ifyou do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take only theregular daily dose abilify or aripiprazole. Do not take a double dose of the medication abilify or aripiprazole.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention abilify or aripiprazole.
• Symptoms of an Abilify overdose include drowsiness and vomiting abilify or aripiprazole.

What should I avoid while taking Abilify?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities abilify or aripiprazole. Abilify may cause dizziness or drowsiness abilify or aripiprazole. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities abilify or aripiprazole.
• Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting orlying position abilify or aripiprazole. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall abilify or aripiprazole.
• Avoid alcohol while taking Abilify abilify or aripiprazole. Alcohol may increase drowsiness anddizziness while taking Abilify abilify or aripiprazole.
• Avoid becoming overheated while taking Abilify abilify or aripiprazole. Abilify may affect bodytemperature regulation abilify or aripiprazole. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise abilify or aripiprazole. Drinkplenty of fluids abilify or aripiprazole.

What are the possible side effects of Abilify?
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movementsof the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs; muscle spasms of the faceor neck; severe restlessness or tremor; fever; muscle rigidity; sweating; irregularpulse; or fast or irregular heartbeats abilify or aripiprazole.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingAbilify and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· difficulty swallowing; or
· seizures abilify or aripiprazole.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur abilify or aripiprazole. Continueto take Abilify and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· blurred vision;
· tremor or weakness;
· dizziness or drowsiness;
· nausea, vomiting, or constipation;
· difficulty sleeping; or
· weight gain abilify or aripiprazole.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur abilify or aripiprazole. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome abilify or aripiprazole.

What other drugs will affect Abilify?
• Many drugs may affect the way that Abilify is metabolized ("brokendown") in the body, leading to higher or lower than expected levels ofthe medication in the blood abilify or aripiprazole. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medicinesduring treatment with Abilify abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify may increase the effects of medicines that are used to controlhigh blood pressure abilify or aripiprazole. This could lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness,fainting, and other symptoms abilify or aripiprazole. Tell your doctor if you are taking a medicationto lower blood pressure or to treat another heart condition abilify or aripiprazole.
• Abilify may increase the effects of drugs that cause drowsiness, includingantidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat insomnia),pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and any other drug thatmakes you feel sleepy or relaxed abilify or aripiprazole. Tell your doctor about all medicines thatyou are taking and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor abilify or aripiprazole.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Abilify abilify or aripiprazole. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products abilify or aripiprazole.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Abilify written for healthprofessionals that you may read abilify or aripiprazole.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.