Abilify OD (Aripiprazole, Aristada) tablets 24 mg for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

What are Abilify OD (Aripiprazole, Aristada) tablets 24 mg for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?

Abilify OD tablets are effective for the treatment of schizophrenia and for improvement of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. An active ingredient called aripiprazole, a second-generation antipsychotic, affects brain neurotransmitters and balances out dopamine and serotonin. This helps to suppress hallucination and delusion, to treat lack of motivation, loss of interest, unrestrained emotions and behaviors and to achieve long-term stable mental status.

Active principle: aripiprazole Amount: 100 tablets

Maker: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

Indications: schizophrenia and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder

How to take

Schizophrenia: adults should start with taking 6-12 mg of the active ingredient a day at once or dividing into 2 times. Then take 6-24 mg a day at once or dividing into 2 times as the maintenance dose. The dosage may be adjusted by your doctor according to age and symptoms. However, the maximum dose of 30 mg a day should not be exceeded.

Manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder: for adults, start with taking 1 tablet (24 mg of the active ingredient) a day at one time or in two divided doses. Then take 12-24 mg a day at one time or in two divided doses as the maintenance dose. The dosage may be adjusted by your doctor according to age and symptoms. However, the maximum dose of 30 mg a day should not be exceeded. One tablet contains 24 mg of the active ingredient.

Contraindications

Following people should not take this medicine:

• Patients with a predisposition to organic brain disorder,
• Patients with a highly impulsive comorbid disorder,
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women,
• Patients with diabetes or a history of diabetes or a familial history of it,
• Patients with hepatic disorder, cardiovascular disease or hypotension,
• Patients with a convulsive disease such as epilepsy, or a history those,
• Patients with suicidal attempt or suicidal thoughts.

Important information

Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery while taking this medicine. It may cause dizziness or lack of concentration.

Take care when drinking alcohol. It may intensify the medicine's effect.

Patient and their family members should receive full explanation about possible uncontrollable behavioral symptoms (excessive eating, sexual desire, shopping etc.) from doctor in charge. If any of those appear, consult with your doctor immediately.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication or receiving any other treatment, consult with your doctor before use.

You can take these tablets with a cup of water or without it. When taken without water, soak the tablet with saliva on the tongue, crushing it gently with the tongue and swallow with saliva. Never take these tablets without water while in a lying-down position. Sometimes the tablet may be cracked or split when taken out from the package, it won't affect the effectiveness. Take a whole tablet including the fragments. Make sure you have dry hands when peel off the sheet and take out the tablet from the package. Open the package only immediately before taking the medicine.