This article describes aripiprazole oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for aripiprazole.
If you want to know more about aripiprazole oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Aripiprazole oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Abilify and Abilify MyCite. Aripiprazole also comes in an injection, liquid solution, and dissolvable tablet 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 risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain young people. It also has a boxed warning about an increased risk of death in certain older adults (ages 65 years and older). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Dosage of aripiprazole” section below. See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strengths of aripiprazole
Aripiprazole oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: a tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg
Dosage of aripiprazole
This article describes the recommended dosages for aripiprazole oral tablet. 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 aripiprazole oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of aripiprazole in adults
Aripiprazole oral tablet is prescribed to treat certain mental health conditions in adults. These include:
- schizophrenia
- manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder
- major depressive disorder (also known as depression), as an add-on treatment to an antidepressant
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of aripiprazole oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of aripiprazole oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for bipolar I disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and other conditions
The following table contains the recommended dosages of aripiprazole oral tablet for adults. Doses are in milligrams (mg), given once per day.
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | 10–15 mg | 10–15 mg | 30 mg |
| bipolar I disorder | 15 mg | 15 mg | 30 mg |
| depression* | 5–10 mg | 5–10 mg | 15 mg |
Dosages of aripiprazole in children
Aripiprazole oral tablet is prescribed to treat certain mental health and behavioral conditions in some children. These include:
- schizophrenia in children ages 13–17 years
- manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in children ages 10–17 years
- irritability related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children ages 6–17 years
- Tourette syndrome in children ages 6–18 years
The following table contains the recommended dosages of aripiprazole oral tablet for children. Doses are in milligrams (mg), given once per day.
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | 2 mg | 10 mg | 30 mg |
| bipolar I disorder | 2 mg | 10 mg | 30 mg |
| irritability related to ASD | 2 mg | 5–10 mg | 15 mg |
| Tourette syndrome — children weighing less than 50 kilograms (kg)* | 2 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg |
| Tourette syndrome — children weighing 50 kg or more | 2 mg | 10 mg | 20 mg |
Dosage adjustments for aripiprazole
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of aripiprazole oral tablet 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 aripiprazole
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of aripiprazole oral tablet. 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 aripiprazole oral tablet 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 aripiprazole oral tablet and its dosage.
What is considered a high dose of aripiprazole?
Aripiprazole oral tablet comes in strengths of 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. The maximum recommended dosage of aripiprazole is 30 mg once per day across all uses.
If you have questions about what the right dosage is for you, talk with your doctor.
Can aripiprazole be used for anxiety? If so, what is the dosage?
Maybe. But aripiprazole oral tablet isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anxiety.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe aripiprazole off-label for anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you have questions about your treatment options for anxiety, talk with your doctor.
Is aripiprazole taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe aripiprazole oral tablet 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 aripiprazole oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How aripiprazole is taken
You’ll swallow aripiprazole oral tablet once per day. You can take it 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.
Aripiprazole oral tablet should be swallowed whole. But 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 aripiprazole
It’s important that you do not take more aripiprazole oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of aripiprazole overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- vomiting
- sleepiness
- tremor
What to do if you take too much aripiprazole
If you think you’ve taken too much aripiprazole, 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 aripiprazole oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of aripiprazole oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take aripiprazole oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here are possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will my dosage of aripiprazole oral tablet change if I take other drugs with it?
- Will my dosage of aripiprazole oral tablet have to be increased if I’m still having symptoms of my condition?
- Will a higher dosage of aripiprazole raise my risk of side effects?
Boxed warnings for aripiprazole
This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain younger people. It also has a boxed warning about an increased risk of death in certain older adults (ages 65 years and older). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain younger people. Aripiprazole oral tablet may be prescribed to treat depression in people who are already taking an antidepressant. Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years and younger. The risk is highest when you first start treatment and when your doctor increases your dosage.
Due to this risk, it’s important to watch closely for symptoms of worsening depression, mood or behavior changes, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Report any changes to your doctor right away.
Increased risk of death in certain older adults (ages 65 years and older). Aripiprazole oral tablet can increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. In general, “older adults” refers to people ages 65 years and older. Due to this risk, doctors typically do not prescribe aripiprazole to treat dementia-related psychosis in people in this age group.
For details, see the “Dosage of aripiprazole” 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.