Description
Aripiprazole Tablets come under the brand name ARIPAR – 5 and belong to a class of drugs called antipsychotics and mood stabilizers primarily used to treat mood disorders like schizophrenia, irritability linked with autism, and Tourette’s syndrome. Besides this, it also helps in managing mental depression along with other antidepressant medicines. Schizophrenia affects the ability of a person to feel, think, and behave clearly. Tourette’s syndrome is a mental disorder characterized by uncontrollable, repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics). Psychosis may be caused due to disturbances in chemical messenger activity known as neurotransmitters (like dopamine and serotonin) in the brain.
Aripiprazole Tablets contain Aripiprazole which stabilizes and blocks the dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, preventing its overactivity, thereby controlling the positive symptoms like hallucinations, misbelief, and unfriendly characteristics of schizophrenia. It helps to improve the activity of dopamine and serotonin receptors in other areas of the brain. It helps control negative symptoms (like lack of emotion, social isolation, poor attention, and memory loss) of schizophrenia. Thus, Aripiprazole improves mood swings, depression, and other psychotic problems.
Medical Benefits of Aripiprazole Tablets
- It inhibits the dopamine receptor in our brain thereby controlling the positive symptoms (like hallucinations, misbelief, and unfriendliness) and negative symptoms (like social isolation, lack of emotion, poor attention, and memory loss) of schizophrenia.
- It can be used in combination with other medicines to treat depression.
- It is also used to reduce unwanted sounds (tics) severity in Tourette’s syndrome (a nervous system problem that causes unwanted sounds or sudden movements).
Side Effects
- Tiredness
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Drowsiness
- Light-headedness
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Akathisia (inability to sit still)
Directions For Use
- Take it with or without food as advised by the doctor.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew or break it.
Storage
- Store in a cool and dry place
- Keep it away from sunlight
Precautions
- Limit the intake of caffeine as it may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine.
- Avoid consumption of it with alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.
- It is not prescribed and approved for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis.
- Please consult your doctor before taking these tablets, if you are pregnant.
- If you have a liver or kidney impairment then consult your doctor.
- Do not give it to children below 12 years unless prescribed by a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions for Aripiprazole Tablets
Can I stop taking this medication on my own?
No, you are not recommended to stop taking it without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take this tablet for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking it, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
Does it cause weight gain?
This medicine may cause weight gain in some patients but it is not necessary for everyone taking it to experience this side effect. However, to avoid gaining weight while taking this medicine, you are advised to do regular exercise and avoid high-calorie drinks. Instead take non-alcoholic drinks, herbal tea, and lemon water.
Can I take this composition with painkillers like ibuprofen?
No, you are not recommended to take it with ibuprofen as co-administration of these medicines may increase the risk of fits and increase the levels of this composition in the blood leading to increased adverse effects. However, please consult a doctor before taking it with other medicines.
Does it cause high blood sugar?
Yes, this tablet may cause high blood sugar levels. Therefore, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking this medicine, and inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking it. However, if you experience dry mouth, increased thirst or urination, or fruity breath odor, please consult a doctor as these might be signs of high blood sugar.
Is it safe for dementia patients?
This tablet is not recommended for dementia (loss of memory or other mental abilities) patients, especially in elderly people as it may cause severe adverse effects including stroke. Therefore, it is advised to inform your doctor if you have dementia or a history of stroke before taking it.
