The development of a treatment plan often involves learning about different medications, therapies, and strategies for sticking to treatment. If you are considering ABILIFY^® (aripiprazole) or beginning your treatment with ABILIFY, then you may want to consider ways to get the most from your treatment plan.

Getting the Most from your Treatment Plan

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Suggestions for taking your medication regularly

Make ABILIFY part of a daily routine
For example, try taking the medication at the same time every day, or take the medication when doing a regular activity, such as brushing your teeth. Remember, medications like ABILIFY can help manage the symptoms of Schizophrenia — but they do not cure Schizophrenia. If you expect to continue to experience the benefits of this medication, you need to take it regularly as prescribed.

Please note: ABILIFY should be taken only by the person for whom it is prescribed.

Please remember to keep medicines out of the reach of children.

Keep medications sorted in a 7-day or a 14-day pill case
You might need to take a number of medications each day. To help sort out what needs to be taken when, buy a pill case that has a compartment for each day. These are available at most pharmacies or from your doctor. Please remember to keep medicines out of the reach of children.

Make refills part of the monthly routine
If a prescription for ABILIFY needs to be refilled on a regular basis, you should try to work with your doctor or a treatment team member to have the refill happen at the same time as a routine event, such as an appointment or a peer group meeting.

Prominently display a calendar
A calendar is a valuable tool in helping you maintain structure in your life. Put the calendar somewhere in clear view, such as on a bedroom mirror, and mark it when you take ABILIFY and any other medications you may be prescribed.

Find a pharmacy that delivers
If you have difficulty making it to the drugstore, you can arrange to have the prescription filled by a pharmacy that delivers. If you arrange for delivery, you can complete the refill process over the phone. You might also be able to fill prescriptions through the mail. Check to see if your pharmacy uses a mail-order fulfillment service for prescriptions.

Find motivation

Write down symptoms, side effects, and improvements on a progress report. From one day to the next it may not always be clear how ABILIFY is working. During the first months, it might be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms and daily activities. This might help you and your doctor get a record of your progress, and allow you to see improvements even when they are not clearly evident day to day.

Set goals for yourself

Although medication is often the first step in getting back to a more normal life, it is not the only answer. Once you and your doctor find the right medication for you, it might be helpful to slowly make changes in your life by adding everyday tasks and enjoyable activities. Write down a few things you would like to do and what changes you would like to make in your life over the next 6 months. Bring your worksheet when you visit the doctor.

Keep track of how you are feeling

If you are ever concerned about how you are thinking or feeling and worried that it might be related to your illness or medication, write down your feelings and talk about them with your doctor.

Psychosocial counseling

As you move forward and start to be involved in activities you enjoy, you might find that you need counseling to help improve life skills. This therapy typically focuses on teaching practical coping skills, such as solving problems and minimizing stress in everyday life. Some therapists might also focus on helping you learn skills to improve social interactions.

A Caregiver's Role
in Treatment

Information and tools to help you help a loved one with Schizophrenia.

Learn more here

Side Effects Checklist

Track the side effects of your treatment with the Side Effects Checklist.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATIONS for ABILIFY^® (aripiprazole)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

Elderly people with psychosis related to dementia (for example, an inability to perform daily activities as a result of increased memory loss), treated with antipsychotic medicines including ABILIFY, are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. ABILIFY is not approved for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis (see Boxed WARNING).

Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, teenagers, and young adults, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are themselves associated with an increase in the risk of suicide. Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's healthcare provider right away, especially if they are severe or occur suddenly. ABILIFY is not approved for use in pediatric patients with depression (see Boxed WARNING).

Contraindication: Patients should not use ABILIFY if they are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY. Allergic reactions have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

Serious side effects may include:

An increased risk of stroke and ministroke have been reported in clinical studies of elderly people with dementia-related psychosis
High fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, changes in pulse, heart rate and blood pressure may be signs of a condition called
neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare and serious condition that can lead to death
Increases in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can happen in some people who take ABILIFY. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes, or risk factors (for example, obesity, family history of diabetes), or have the following symptoms: increases in thirst, urination, or hunger, feel weak or tired, sick to your stomach, or confused (or breath smells fruity), your blood sugar should be monitored
Changes in cholesterol and triglyceride (fat, also called lipids) levels in the blood have been seen in patients taking medicines like ABILIFY
Weight gain has been reported in patients taking medicines like ABILIFY so your weight should be checked regularly. Weight gain in children (ages 6 to 17) should be compared against that expected with normal growth
ABILIFY and medicines like it have been associated with difficulty swallowing which may lead to aspiration or choking
Uncontrollable movements of face, tongue, or other parts of body, as these may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD may not go away, even if you stop taking ABILIFY. TD may also start after you stop taking ABILIFY
Orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure) or lightheadedness or fainting when rising too quickly from a sitting or lying position has been reported with ABILIFY
Decreases in white blood cells (WBC; infection fighting cells) have been reported in some patients taking ABILIFY. Patients with a history of a significant decrease in WBC count or who have experienced a low WBC count due to drug therapy should have their blood tested and monitored during the first few months of therapy
Seizures (convulsions) have been reported with ABILIFY. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of or are at risk for seizures
ABILIFY and medicines like it can affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how ABILIFY affects you
Medicines like ABILIFY can impact your body's ability to reduce body temperature; you should avoid overheating and dehydration
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Also tell your healthcare provider about any other medical conditions you have and about all prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking or plan to take since there are some risks for drug interactions

While taking ABILIFY, avoid:

Drinking alcohol
Breast-feeding an infant

Most common side effects (≥10%) from all clinical trials involving adults or pediatric patients include:

ADULTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, an inner sense of restlessness or need to move (akathisia), anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS (6 to 17 years): Sleepiness, headache, vomiting, extrapyramidal disorder (for example, uncontrolled movement disorders or muscle disturbances such as restlessness, tremors and muscle stiffness), fatigue, increased appetite, insomnia, nausea, stuffy nose, and weight gain

It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be signs of a condition called dystonia.

For patients who must limit their sugar intake, ABILIFY Oral Solution contains sugar.

For patients with phenylketonuria or PKU, ABILIFY DISCMELT^® (aripiprazole) contains phenylalanine.

If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.

INDICATIONS: ABILIFY is indicated for:

Use as an add-on treatment to an antidepressant for adults with Major Depressive Disorder who have had an inadequate response to antidepressant therapy
Treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder in adults and in pediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age
Treatment of Schizophrenia in adults and in adolescents 13 to 17 years of age
Treatment of irritability associated with Autistic Disorder in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age

Special Considerations for Pediatric Uses:

Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your child's healthcare provider. Treatment should be started only after a thorough diagnostic evaluation and as part of a total treatment program

Please see U.S. FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for ABILIFY.