Abilify (Aripiprazole) for Major Depressive Disorder

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Abilify (aripiprazole) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help treat major depressive disorder in adults when taken with an antidepressant medication. Abilify is also FDA approved to treat other conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 472 comments about Abilify from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Depression symptoms often ease when Abilify is added to an antidepressant.
Low doses, such as 2 to 5 milligrams, can be part of treatment.
Taking it once daily can feel manageable.

Considerations:

Restlessness, akathisia, anxiety, and insomnia can worsen, especially after starting or dose changes.
Tremor, stiffness, shuffling, or other movement problems can occur.
Blood sugar changes and unusual urges may occur and need prompt medical attention.

How Abilify Works and How It’s Taken

Abilify is a type of antipsychotic medicine that works by changing activity at the level of dopamine and serotonin receptors, which send chemical signals to the brain. The exact way it works is not fully known. In major depressive disorder, it helps reduce brain signaling changes linked to depression symptoms.

Doctors prescribe Abilify when depression is being treated with an antidepressant and extra help is needed.

Abilify tablets are taken by mouth, typically once daily. They can be taken with or without food.

Typical Dosing for Major Depressive Disorder

The recommended starting dose of Abilify for major depressive disorder is 2 to 5 milligrams once daily with an antidepressant.

Dose adjustments of up to 5 milligrams should occur gradually, at intervals of no less than one week. Your healthcare provider should periodically reassess whether you need to continue maintenance treatment.

If your doctor prescribes certain medicines that affect how your body processes Abilify, they may lower the dose to half or one-quarter of the usual dose, or raise it if needed. This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Abilify

These insights are based on 472 comments about Abilify from MyDepressionTeam members.

Members who use Abilify often say the most helpful approach is to stay in close contact with your doctor, especially when side effects, dose changes, or medication costs come up. Many members also describe tracking how they feel over time, giving the medication some time to work, and remembering that Abilify is often used along with an antidepressant for major depressive disorder.

1

Talk to your doctor about weight and blood sugar changes.
“My doctor and I added Abilify again. Last week, I was on a cruise vacation, and remembered exactly why I had come off of it before — weight gain, and bloating.”
2

Ask your doctor before changing your dose or stopping.
“The doctors prescribed me Abilify. I’ve gone from taking 20 milligrams every day to 10 milligrams each day to one 10-milligram tablet every third day. I don’t ever attempt to wean myself off any med for more than three days without notifying my doctor, just in case I have adverse reactions.”
3

Give it some time, and track how you feel.
“Stick with it for a bit — give it a good couple of weeks to a month to level out.”

Connect with others who understand life with major depressive disorder. Join MyDepressionTeam for free.

Abilify Side Effects

In clinical studies of Abilify used with antidepressant medicines for major depressive disorder in adults, the most common side effects happened in about 5 percent to 25 percent of people. Side effects can be different when Abilify is used to treat different conditions. Side effects may also vary by Abilify form.

The following side effects were reported during clinical trials of Abilify as add-on (adjunctive) treatment for depression.

Akathisia (feeling very restless or unable to sit still)
Restlessness
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Fatigue (feeling tired)
Constipation
Blurred vision

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Abilify can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors — The risk may be higher in people ages 18 to 24 years when starting antidepressant treatment or when the dose changes.
Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis — Abilify is not approved for dementia-related psychosis.
Stroke and other blood flow problems in the brain — These can occur in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) — This rare, life-threatening reaction can cause high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, and unstable blood pressure or heart rate.
Tardive dyskinesia — Uncontrolled body movements may not go away.
Metabolic changes — These can include high blood sugar or diabetes, changes in blood fats, and weight gain.
Compulsive behaviors — Strong urges such as gambling, shopping, sex, or binge eating can be hard to control.
Orthostatic hypotension — A drop in blood pressure when standing can cause dizziness or fainting.
Falls — These can lead to fractures or other injuries.
Low white blood cell counts, including severe neutropenia — These can raise infection risk.
Seizures — Convulsions can occur.
Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema — These can cause hives, swelling, or trouble breathing.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) — This rare severe drug reaction can involve rash and organ problems.
Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) — This can raise the risk of choking or aspiration.
Problems with body temperature regulation — Overheating can occur.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Abilify

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer of Abilify, offers the Abilify Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $5 per month.

The Abilify (aripiprazole) Savings Program also offers a Savings Card and a Savings eCard you can store on your mobile device. To learn more, visit the Abilify savings card page or call 855-427-7470.

What To Know Before Taking Abilify

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to aripiprazole or any ingredients in Abilify.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

Do not take Abilify if you have had a serious allergic reaction to aripiprazole or any of its ingredients.

Abilify is also FDA approved to treat schizophrenia, manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, irritability associated with autistic disorder, and Tourette’s disorder.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Abilify, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Abilify use during pregnancy may cause extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. It may lower milk supply, and aripiprazole is present in human breast milk, so monitor a breastfed infant for dehydration and lack of appropriate weight gain.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Abilify for major depressive disorder?
In two short-term clinical trials lasting six weeks, people with major depressive disorder who added Abilify to an antidepressant had greater improvement in depression symptoms than people who added placebo (an inactive treatment).

How long does Abilify take to work for major depressive disorder?
The clinical studies for major depressive disorder lasted six weeks, and improvement was seen during that study period when Abilify was added to an antidepressant. The study information does not give an exact number of days until people start to feel better. It also states that steady-state concentrations are reached within 14 days of dosing.

Can Abilify cause weight gain with major depressive disorder?
Weight gain has been observed with atypical antipsychotic use, and clinical monitoring of weight is recommended. Abilify is also linked with metabolic changes such as high blood sugar or diabetes and increased fat levels in the blood. People with diabetes or risk factors for diabetes should be monitored.

Can Abilify cause restlessness or trouble sleeping with major depressive disorder?
Yes. In adults taking Abilify as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder, common side effects included akathisia, which is a feeling of inner restlessness, in 25 percent, restlessness in 12 percent, and insomnia in 8 percent. Anxiety was also among the most common side effects seen in adult clinical trials.