The term aripiprazole is defined as an antipsychotic drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 to treat schizophrenia. It is currently cleared by the FDA for the treatment of acute episodes related to bipolar disorder. This drug was developed in Japan by the pharmaceutical company “otsuka”.
Aripiprazole is used in adults and adolescents to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, in the same way it can be used in combination with other drugs to treat episodes of mania, bipolarity and depression; helping to control irritable behaviors, such as tantrums in young people.
This drug comes in different presentations: in normal tablets, in soluble tablets and in solution and for a quick effect it can be injected, the dose to be taken must be ordered by a doctor. It is likely that at the beginning of treatment the doctor will prescribe a low dose of aripiprazole, and then increase or decrease it gradually, this will depend on the effectiveness of the medicine and the side effects it has. It is important to note that the consumption of this drug can control the symptoms, but it will not cure the disease.
The consumption of this medicine can cause some side effects in the person, it is important that if the patient presents these effects, he communicates them to his treating doctor: headache, dizziness, diarrhea, weight gain, pain in arms, legs and joints, constipation, stomach pains, nervousness, drowsiness.
Some of the side effects can be dangerous, among them are: seizure, shortness of breath, high fever, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, lips; chest pain, vision changes, hives, stiff throat.
