User:Mr. Ibrahem/Aripiprazole

Aripiprazole, sold under the brand name Abilify among others, is an atypical antipsychotic. It is primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other uses include as an add-on treatment in major depressive disorder, tic disorders and irritability associated with autism. It is taken by mouth or injection into a muscle. A Cochrane review found only low quality evidence of effectiveness in treating schizophrenia. Additionally, since many people dropped out of the studies before they were completed, the strength of the conclusions was low.

Common side effects include vomiting, constipation, sleepiness, dizziness, weight gain and movement disorders. Serious side effects may include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia and anaphylaxis. It is not recommended for older people with dementia-related psychosis due to an increased risk of death. In pregnancy, there is evidence of possible harm to the baby. It is not recommended in women who are breastfeeding. It has not been very well studied in people less than 18 years old. The exact mode of action is not entirely clear but may involve effects on dopamine and serotonin.

Aripiprazole was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines as an alternative to risperidone and quetiapine. It is available as a generic medication. In the United Kingdom, a month's supply costs the NHS about £2.75 as of 2019. In the United States, the wholesale cost of this amount is US$10. In 2017, it was the 112th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than six million prescriptions. Aripiprazole was discovered in 1988 by scientists at Japanese firm Otsuka Pharmaceutical.