What does it do?

Aripiprazole is used to treat and prevent some mental health problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is also sometimes used for other conditions.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have heart or liver problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, have ever had a seizure, blood clot, stroke or ‘mini-stroke’, or if you have experienced strange body movements with another medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Your doctor may do a heart test (ECG) before you start and while you are taking aripiprazole.

How should you take it?

Take aripiprazole regularly as directed with a glass of water.

What if you forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with aripiprazole including:

• some antihistamines (may be in anti-allergy, anti-nausea and cough/cold medicines)
• anti-nausea medicines (e.g. prochlorperazine, hyoscine (e.g. Scopoderm TTS®), meclozine (e.g. Sea-legs®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. kava, St John's wort) or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Fever, stiffness, sweating, confusion Feeling restless, strange or uncontrolled movements, tremor Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fainting Symptoms of a blood clot including: sudden shortness of breath, swelling or pain in one leg Seizures Prolonged erection (longer than four hours)	Tell your doctor immediately
Unusual urges (e.g. gambling, eating, spending, sex)	Tell your doctor
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness or weakness, headache, anxiety, trouble sleeping Weight gain Stomach upset Peeing when you don’t want to Less interest in sex, impotence	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Aripiprazole can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)
• Aripiprazole reduces your body’s ability to maintain a normal temperature. Be careful of becoming too cold or too hot. When exercising, drink plenty of water.
• You have an increased risk of getting diabetes while taking aripiprazole. Discuss with your doctor.
• Do not stop taking aripiprazole without talking to your doctor first.