Abilify OD tablets 24 mg for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Aripiprazole, Aristada)

General information on Japanese Abilify OD tablets 24 mg for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Aripiprazole, Aristada)

Package details: 100 tablets

Manufacturer: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Japan

Active ingredients: aripiprazole (chemical formula C23H27Cl2N3O2)

Medical effect: Abilify tablets are effective for the treatment of schizophrenia and for improvement of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Contraindications and precautions: do not use for the following categories of patients:

• Patients with a predisposition to organic brain disorder cannot use Abilify tablets,
• Patients with a highly impulsive comorbid disorder,
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women,
• Patients with diabetes or a history of diabetes or a familial history of it,
• Patients with hepatic disorder, cardiovascular disease or hypotension,
• Patients with a convulsive disease such as epilepsy, or a history thereof,
• Patients with suicidal attempt or suicidal ideation.

As this medicine may cause dizziness or lack of concentration, patients should avoid driving a car or operating dangerous machinery.

As alcohol may intensify the effect, patient should take care when drinking alcohol.

If any uncontrollable behavioral symptoms (excessive eating, sexual desire, shopping etc.) appear, patient should consult with their doctor. Patient and their family members should require full explanation before use.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication or receiving any other treatment, you have to consult with your doctor before use.

Dosage and administration

For schizophrenia: for adults, start with taking 6-12 mg of the active ingredient a day at one time or in two divided doses. Then take 6-24 mg a day at one time or in two divided doses as the maintenance dose. The doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to age and symptoms. However, the maximum dose of 30 mg a day should not be exceeded.

For improvement of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder: for adults, start with taking 1 tablet (24 mg of the active ingredient) a day at one time or in two divided doses. Then take 12-24 mg a day at one time or in two divided doses as the maintenance dose. The doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to age and symptoms. However, the maximum dose of 30 mg a day should not be exceeded.

Please note that this preparation contains 24 mg of the active ingredient in one tablet.

This medicine can be taken with a cup of water or without it. If taken without water, it should be swallowed with saliva after soaking the tablet with saliva on the tongue and crushing it gently with the tongue. Patient should not take this medicine without water while in a lying-down position.

Sometimes the tablet may be cracked or split when taken out from the package, however, this will not affect the effectiveness. Take a whole tablet including the fragments.

Peel off the sheet and take out the tablet from the package with dry hands immediately before taking it.

How effective are Abilify OD tablets 24 mg from Japan for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Aripiprazole, Aristada)?

Abilify OD tablets contain aripiprazole, a substrate of certain body enzymes. It works by acts on receptors for neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine. As the result, Abilify tablets suppress such symptoms as hallucination and delusion, stabilize unstable mental status and improve such symptoms as lack of motivation, loss of interest, unrestrained emotions and behaviors.

Who should use Abilify OD tablets 24 mg from Japan?

Abilify OF tablets are effective for the treatment of schizophrenia and for improvement of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Studies showed that in patients with schizophrenia aripiprazole has a lower risk of raised prolactin and prolongation of the QTc interval than first-generation antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol (R. Belgamwar, H. El-Sayeh. “Aripiprazole versus placebo for schizophrenia”. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011, 10 (8): CD006622).