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Abilify Information:

Abilify (Aripiperazole) is an atypical antipsychotic. Abilify (aripiprazole) is a partial agonist that uniquely modulates dopamine activity. The typical starting dose of Abilify (Aripiperazole) is 15mg taken once daily. Abilify (aripiprazole) is available in dosages ranging from 10mg to 30mg. No titration is required to reach an effective dose and Abilify can be taken without regards to meals.

Abilify (aripiprazole) acts as a functional antagonist with activity at D2 receptors in a hyperdopaminergic environment and as a functional agonist with activity at D2 receptors in a hypodopaminergic environment. In addition, Abilify (aripiprazole) has serotonin antagonist activity at 5-HT2A receptors and partial agonist activity at 5-HT1A receptors. Abilify (aripiprazole) also has moderate affinity for alpha1-adrenergic and histamine (H1) receptors and has no appreciable affinity for cholinergic muscarinic receptors. The mechanism of action of Abilify (aripiprazole), as with other drugs having efficacy in schizophrenia, is unknown. However, it has been proposed that the efficacy of Abilify (aripiprazole) is mediated through a combination of partial agonist activity at dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5HT1A receptors, and antagonist activity at serotonin 5HT2A receptors. Partial agonism refers to the ability to both block a receptor if it is overstimulated and to stimulate a receptor when activity is needed.

Abilify Side Effects:

Abilify side effects include weight gain (1kg over 1 year), sedation, extra pyramidal side effects, and hyperporlactinemia. As with all antipsychotic medications, a rare condition referred to as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) has been reported. As with all antipsychotic medications, prescribing should be consistent with the need to minimize the risk of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Abilify side effects may be associated with orthostatic hypotension and should be used with caution in patients with known cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or conditions which would predispose them to hypotension. As with other antipsychotic drugs, Abilify should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold. Seizures occurred in 0.1% of patients treated with Abilify in placebo-controlled trials.

There is no body of evidence available from controlled trials to answer the question of how long a patient treated with aripiprazole should remain on it. It is generally agreed, however, that pharmacological treatment for episodes of acute schizophrenia should continue for up to 6 months or longer. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment. No dosage adjustment for Abilify is required for: Patients with renal or hepatic impairment, Age, gender, race, or smoking status. Abilify is unlikely to affect the plasma levels of other drugs metabolized by P450 enzymes. Dosage adjustment of Abilify is recommended with: Potent inducers of CYP3A4, such as carbamazepine, Potent inhibitors of CYP3A4, such as ketoconazole, or of CYP2D6, such as quinidine, fluoxetine, and paroxetine. Abilify is currently available in Canada through the Special Access Program with Health Canada. Canadian patients should speak to there doctor to apply for the program. For American customers, rest assured that Abilify should be released for sale within the next 6 to 12 months at a cost much less than on the market in the United States. You will be able to purchase Abilify from Medisave.ca Canadian Pharmacy before it becomes available at any other Canadian Pharmacy.