Abilify Review

Abilify (Aripiprazole) is a prescription drug that belongs to the class of atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants. Abilify (Aripiprazole) is FDA approved for many mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, acute manic episodes, major depressive disorder, and clinical depression. Since 2007 FDA also approved Abilify (Aripiprazole) in the treatment of autism for symptoms of irritability. Patients who experience allergies to aripiprazole should not use Abilify since serious problems such as difficulty breathing and swelling of the face and mouth can occur.

Is Abilify Right For You?

Abilify is a prescription medication especially created to treat a wide spectrum of anxiety and depression disorders including general anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and schizophrenia. Secondary therapeutic goals include treating irritability and symptoms associated with autistic spectrum disorders in children above the age of six, including mood swings, aggression, temper tantrums, and self-injury. The company behind this drug is Bristol-Meyers Squibb, a global BioPharma company firmly focused on its “mission to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.”

According to the producing company, this drug can work with other medications to help regulate important chemicals in the brain that are responsible for maintaining emotional and behavioral balance.

Abilify is available by prescription only, and it should never be taken unless it is prescribed for you and not another individual. Most doctors do offer free samples of this drug to observe how an individual is going to react to it before they make the decision to provide them with a prescription.

Ingredients of Abilify

Abilify includes the following ingredients: Aripiprazole, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, calcium silicate, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, crème de vanilla (natural and artificial flavors), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, tartaric acid, and xylitol. Colorants include a ferric oxide (yellow or red), and FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake.

Effectiveness of Abilify

Abilify contains several key ingredients, but the most important one is Aripiprazole, one of the main components in this type of medication. This ingredient is stated to be a powerful aid in helping restore the correct levels of chemicals to the brain, particularly adjusting the activities of the essential neurotransmitters Dopamine and Serotonin. The exact mechanism is, however, unknown. Also, recent studies seem to indicate that the key active substance Aripiprazole can cause eye twitches and acidic burps. While the acidic burps will desist over time, according to several studies, the eye twitching may become more and more problematic.

The drug is a relatively new type of medication, and that makes it hard to evaluate. There have been some initial tests regarding it, but nothing for the long term as of yet. The amount one would take depends on other medications used and the severity of one’s mental health situation. The dose will be started out small and then gradually increased if necessary.

Unfortunately, the drug was associated with multiple unpleasant side effects such as violent vomiting, rashes, dizziness, and weight gain. Sometimes, additional weight can cause patients to suffer more from their mental health situation, and their overall physical health can also be compromised.

Individuals who suffer from various heart problems should not use this drug because it may cause changes in heart rate. It is important to disclose all medications being used to the doctor and to tell them if you are pregnant or nursing. Other symptoms which should alert you and cause immediate treatment interruption include erratic muscle movements, fever with stiff muscles and rapid heart rate, numbness, weakness, severe headache, and vision, speech, or balance problems.

According to the website, Abilify shouldn’t be used alone. It has to be taken in conjunction with other mental health medications that fall into the category of antidepressants. It is also stated that for the best results it should be taken daily, even when a patient feels that they are making improvements.

Abilify Price

Unfortunately, the high cost of Abilify is an issue for many consumers. The product is available as 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg pills and in bottles of 30, 60 or 90 pills. The price may vary from $45,95 for a 30 pills bottle of Abilify 5 mg to $324,95 for a 90 pills bottle of Abilify 30 mg.

Since the medication has to be taken in conjunction with others, that can double the overall cost of the treatment. You should ask your healthcare provider for a treatment plan before deciding whether to include this drug in your treatment scheme.

Does Abilify Work?

This drug may only be used with a doctor’s consent. Even if a patient likes Abilify and wants to try it out, if his or her doctor does not grant permission, it is unobtainable. Besides, the huge medical and pharmaceutical bills may turn many possible consumers off of this option.

Thus, we suggest seeking a mood balancer that contains ingredients as natural as possible, as side effects and counter indications associated with this drug are impressive in number and severity. Furthermore, certain supplements (as opposed to prescription drugs) are usually cheaper than chemical drugs and are not associated with such a numerous dangerous side effects.