addiction to abilify

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

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 addiction to abilify.
• 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 addiction to abilify.
• Abilify is in the FDA pregnancy category C addiction to abilify. This means that it is notknown whether Abilify will be harmful to an unborn baby addiction to abilify. Do not take Abilifywithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment addiction to abilify.
• It is not known whether Abilify passes into breast milk addiction to abilify. Do not takeAbilify without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby addiction to abilify.

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

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

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

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

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 addiction to abilify.
• 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 addiction to abilify.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur addiction to abilify. 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 addiction to abilify.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur addiction to abilify. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome addiction to abilify.

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 addiction to abilify. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medicinesduring treatment with Abilify addiction to abilify.
• Abilify may increase the effects of medicines that are used to controlhigh blood pressure addiction to abilify. This could lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness,fainting, and other symptoms addiction to abilify. Tell your doctor if you are taking a medicationto lower blood pressure or to treat another heart condition addiction to abilify.
• 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 addiction to abilify. Tell your doctor about all medicines thatyou are taking and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor addiction to abilify.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Abilify addiction to abilify. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products addiction to abilify.

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

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