Health Centres - Abilify (aripiprazole)
How does it work?
Abilify tablets, orodispersible tablets and oral solution all contain the active ingredient aripiprazole, which is a type of medicine known as an atypical antipsychotic. It is used to treat schizophrenia.
The way in which aripiprazole works is not fully understood, however, it does work in a slightly different way to other antipsychotic medicines.
Aripiprazole works by acting on various receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors and serotonin (5HT) receptors. Dopamine and serotonin are natural compounds called neurotransmitters, and are involved in transmitting messages between brain cells. Psychotic illness is considered to be caused by disturbances in the activity of neurotransmitters (mainly dopamine) in the brain. Aripiprazole is thought to work mainly by stabilising the dopamine activity in the brain.
People with schizophrenia may experience 'positive symptoms' (such as hallucinations, delusions and hostility) and/or 'negative symptoms' (such as lack of emotion and social isolation).
The positive symptoms are thought to be due to overactivity of dopamine in certain areas of the brain. Aripiprazole blocks the dopamine receptors in these areas and so prevents the overactivity. This helps control the positive symptoms of the disease.
The negative symptoms, as well as cognitive symptoms such as memory loss and poor attention, are considered to be due to underactivity of dopamine in other areas of the brain. In these areas, aripiprazole stimulates the dopamine receptors. This mimics the activity of dopamine in these areas of the brain and so improves their activity. This helps improve the negative and cognitive symptoms of this illness.
Abilify orodispersible tablets and oral solution can be used as an alternative to the standard tablets for people who have difficulty swallowing. The orodispersible tablets are designed to dissolve on the tongue in the saliva without the need for a drink of water. These tablets are fragile and should be taken as soon as they are removed from the blister packet. Alternatively, these tablets can be dispersed in a glass of water.
What is it used for?
Warning!
- This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
- If you feel sleepy or lightheaded while taking this medicine, these side effects are likely to be made worse by drinking alcohol.
- Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should not suddenly stop taking this medicine, even if you feel better and think you don't need it any more. This is because the medicine controls the symptoms of the illness but doesn't actually cure it.
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