This article describes Abilify’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Abilify. If you want to know more about Abilify, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Abilify is a brand-name medication that comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s available in a generic version called aripiprazole. This article describes dosages of Abilify.
Abilify also comes in a solution and suspension that you inject into your muscle. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the increased risk of death in some older adults (ages 65 years and older) and the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
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Form and strengths of Abilify
Abilify comes as follows:
- Form: oral tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg
Dosage of Abilify
This article describes the recommended dosages for Abilify. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Abilify without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Abilify in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Abilify. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Abilify that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for depression and other mental health conditions
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| major depressive disorder | 2 mg to 5 mg per day | 5 mg to 10 mg per day | 15 mg per day |
| schizophrenia | 10 mg to 15 mg per day | 10 mg to 15 mg per day | 30 mg per day |
| bipolar mania (with no other medications) | 15 mg per day | 15 mg per day | 30 mg per day |
| bipolar mania (taken with lithium or valproate) | 10 mg to 15 mg per day | 15 mg per day | 30 mg per day |
| Tourette syndrome if you weigh less than 50 kg | 2 mg per day | 5 mg per day | 10 mg per day |
| Tourette syndrome if you weigh 50 kg or more | 2 mg per day | 10 mg per day | 20 mg per day |
Weight is expressed in kilograms (kg) in the table above. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Dosages of Abilify in children
Abilify is approved for use in certain children. The usual dosages are as follows:
| Condition | Age | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | 13 to 17 years | 2 mg per day | 10 mg per day | 30 mg per day |
| bipolar mania | 10 to 17 years | 2 mg per day | 10 mg per day | 30 mg per day |
| irritability associated with autism | 6 to 17 years | 2 mg per day | 5 mg to 10 mg per day | 15 mg per day |
| Tourette syndrome (less than 50 kg) | 6 to 18 years | 2 mg per day | 5 mg per day | 10 mg per day |
| Tourette syndrome (50 kg or more) | 6 to 18 years | 2 mg per day | 10 mg per day | 20 mg per day |
Dosage adjustments for Abilify
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Abilify based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of Abilify
If you miss a dose of Abilify, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose of Abilify, you should skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses of Abilify at once.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Abilify. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Abilify and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Abilify and its dosage.
What is considered a high dose and a low dose of Abilify?
The maximum dosage of Abilify is 30 mg per day. Some conditions have a lower maximum dosage, ranging from 10 mg to 20 mg per day. Taking the maximum dosage of Abilify for your condition would be considered a high dose.
Doctors consider 5 mg per day or less to be a low dose of Abilify. This is usually the starting dosage for some conditions. Depending on the condition they prescribe Abilify for, it may not be effective at that dosage level.
Speak with your doctor if you have questions about high and low dosages of Abilify.
Can Abilify be used for bipolar II disorder?
Possibly. But Abilify isn’t approved to treat bipolar II disorder. However, some studies have shown that Abilify may help people with this condition.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe Abilify off-label for bipolar II disorder. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you have questions about treatment options for bipolar II disorder, talk with your doctor.
Is Abilify taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Abilify as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take Abilify, talk with your doctor.
How Abilify is taken
You’ll swallow Abilify once per day with or without food.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Get free cardOverdose of Abilify
It’s important that you do not take more Abilify than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Abilify overdose
Common symptoms of an overdose can include:
- vomiting
- tremors (shaking)
- sleepiness
Less common symptoms of an overdose can include:
- aggression
- slow or fast heartbeat
- irregular heart beat
- confusion
- slowed breathing
- loss of consciousness
- coma
What to do if you take too much Abilify
If you think you’ve taken too much Abilify, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Abilify. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Abilify without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Abilify exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do I know if my dosage of Abilify is working?
- What should I do if I miss a dose of Abilify?
- What may cause you to change my dosage of Abilify?
Boxed warnings for Abilify
This drug has boxed warnings about the increased risk of death in some older adults and the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Risk of death in certain older adults: Antipsychotics, like Abilify, may increase the risk of death in older adults (ages 65 years and older) with dementia-related psychosis. Older adults with this condition should not take Abilify. If a doctor believes the benefits of taking Abilify outweigh the risks for someone with dementia-related psychosis, they will monitor them for difficulty swallowing and excessive sleepiness. These conditions could lead to choking or accidental injury.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Antipsychotics, like Abilify, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adults younger than ages 25 years. This risk is highest during the first few weeks of starting treatment with Abilify. A doctor will closely monitor the mood and behavior of children and young adults who start taking Abilify. It’s important to let your doctor know if you experience anxiety, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, restlessness, or lack of impulse control while taking this drug.
For details, see the “Dosage of Abilify” section above. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.