Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole)

Abilify Asimtufii generic

Abilify Asimtufii is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Common questions about Abilify Asimtufii

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Abilify Asimtufii.

How does Abilify Asimtufii compare with Abilify Maintena?

Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena are both long-acting injections used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. They contain the same active drug, aripiprazole, and are very similar treatments. Both drugs are given by a healthcare professional.

The main difference between these drugs is that Abilify Asimtufii is given once every 2 months, while Abilify Maintena is given monthly. Because of this, the injections come in different strengths.

These medications can cause similar side effects. However, injection site reactions such as pain are more common with Abilify Asimtufii than with Abilify Maintena.

To find out more about these drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Abilify Asimtufii similar to Aristada?

Yes. Abilify Asimtufii and Aristada are both long-acting injections used to treat schizophrenia. Abilify Asimtufii is also used for bipolar I disorder, but Aristada is not FDA-approved for this use.

Abilify Asimtufii contains the active drug aripiprazole. Aristada contains the prodrug* aripiprazole lauroxil. After you receive Aristada, your body turns aripiprazole lauroxil into aripiprazole.

These drugs work in the same way in your body and can cause similar side effects. Both are given by a healthcare professional. However, Abilify Asimtufii is given once every 2 months, while Aristada may be given monthly, every 6 weeks, or every 2 months.

For more information about these drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* A prodrug is inactive when it first enters your body. The drug begins to work only after it undergoes chemical changes in your body.

Abilify Asimtufii dosage

Abilify Asimtufii contains the active drug aripiprazole. If you’ve never taken aripiprazole before, your doctor will likely prescribe an oral form of the drug before you start treatment with Abilify Asimtufii. This is to make sure your body can tolerate aripiprazole. (Oral forms of aripiprazole are short-acting, while Abilify Asimtufii is a long-acting form of aripiprazole.)

The following information describes Abilify Asimtufii dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strengths

Abilify Asimtufii comes as an ER liquid suspension in a single-dose, pre-filled syringe.

Two strengths of Abilify Asimtufii are available:

• 720 milligrams per 2.4 milliliters (720 mg/2.4 mL)
• 960 mg/3.2 mL

A healthcare professional will give your dose of Abilify Asimtufii as an intramuscular injection into your buttock once every 2 months. You’ll typically receive the injections at your doctor’s office or clinic.

Dosage for schizophrenia

The usual dosage for treating schizophrenia in adults is 960 mg given by intramuscular injection once every 2 months.

If you’re currently taking an oral form of aripiprazole or another antipsychotic drug, you should keep taking it for 2 weeks after your first injection of Abilify Asimtufii.

If you have bothersome side effects with the 960-mg dose, your doctor may reduce your dosage to 720 mg given by intramuscular injection once every 2 months.

Dosage for bipolar I disorder

The usual dosage for maintenance (ongoing) treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults is 960 mg given by intramuscular injection once every 2 months.

If you’re currently taking an oral form of aripiprazole or another antipsychotic drug, you should keep taking it for 2 weeks after your first injection of Abilify Asimtufii.

If you have bothersome side effects with the 960-mg dose, your doctor may reduce your dosage to 720 mg given by intramuscular injection once every 2 months.

About taking Abilify Asimtufii

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

• If you miss a dose: If you miss an appointment to receive a dose, contact your doctor’s office right away to reschedule. You should receive the missed dose as soon as possible. If you receive a dose more than 6 weeks late (14 weeks since your last dose), your doctor will likely also prescribe oral aripiprazole to take for 2 weeks.
• Length of use: Abilify Asimtufii is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Abilify Asimtufii is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Abilify Asimtufii side effects

Abilify Asimtufii can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Abilify Asimtufii. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Abilify Asimtufii, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Abilify Asimtufii, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Abilify Asimtufii. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Abilify Asimtufii’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Abilify Asimtufii can include:

• pain at the injection site
• sleepiness
• akathisia (feeling restless and unable to keep still)
• weight gain
• constipation
• muscle, joint, or back pain
• dizziness
• tremor
• dry mouth
• vomiting

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Abilify Asimtufii aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• metabolism changes that can cause conditions such as high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes, which may include symptoms such as:
  • increased urination
  • unusual thirst or hunger
  • weight gain
  • weakness or tiredness
• orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing), which may include symptoms such as:
  • dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up
  • increased heart rate
  • fainting
• unusual urges that you can’t control, which may include symptoms such as:
  • compulsive gambling or shopping
  • binge eating
  • unusual sexual urges
• tardive dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movements), which may include symptoms such as:
  • facial movements that you can’t control, such as frowning, chewing, or sticking out your tongue
  • body movements that you can’t control, such as arm or leg twitching
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a serious reaction to antipsychotic medication), which may include symptoms such as:
  • high fever
  • muscle stiffness
  • increased sweating
  • confusion
• low white blood cell counts, which may include symptoms such as:
  • fever
  • frequent infections
• trouble controlling your body temperature, which may include symptoms such as:
  • feeling too warm
  • overheating in hot temperatures or during strenuous exercise
• trouble swallowing and risk of food or drinks entering your lungs, which may include symptoms such as:
  • pain when swallowing
  • a feeling as though food is stuck in your throat
• increased risk of falls due to sleepiness or dizziness
• increased risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia*

* Abilify Asimtufii has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Abilify Asimtufii precautions” section.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Abilify Asimtufii can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Abilify Asimtufii, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Abilify Asimtufii uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Abilify Asimtufii to treat certain conditions.

Abilify Asimtufii for schizophrenia

Abilify Asimtufii is FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia in adults.

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that can affect your thinking, emotions, communication, and behavior. It can have a serious impact on your everyday activities and social interactions.

Symptoms of schizophrenia can include:

• delusions (having firm beliefs about things that are not true)
• hallucinations (hearing, seeing, smelling, or tasting things that are not real)
• paranoia (feeling that something is a threat to you when this is not true)
• disordered thoughts and speech
• trouble concentrating and remembering
• trouble communicating
• lack of emotion and facial expression
• lack of energy and motivation

Abilify Asimtufii is an antipsychotic medication that helps reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Abilify Asimtufii for bipolar I disorder

Abilify Asimtufii is FDA-approved to treat bipolar I disorder in adults.

Bipolar I disorder is a mental health condition that causes episodes of depression (low mood) and episodes of mania (high mood). These are also called depressive episodes and manic episodes.

With depressive episodes, you may have symptoms such as:

• a very sad, gloomy, or hopeless feeling
• a lack of energy and motivation
• trouble concentrating and remembering things
• changes in your sleep patterns and appetite

With manic episodes, you may have symptoms such as:

• extreme happiness or excitement
• a restless, jittery, or wired feeling
• racing thoughts and excessive talking
• a reduced sense of risk
• symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia

Abilify Asimtufii is an antipsychotic medication that acts as a mood stabilizer in bipolar I disorder. It’s used as a maintenance (ongoing) treatment to help prevent episodes of mania and depression. For this purpose, Abilify Asimtufii is prescribed by itself.

Abilify Asimtufii and children

Abilify Asimtufii is not approved for any uses in children under 18 years old. It’s not known whether the drug is safe or effective in this age group.

Abilify Asimtufii interactions

Abilify Asimtufii can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before starting treatment with Abilify Asimtufii, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

Below is a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Abilify Asimtufii. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Abilify Asimtufii. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

It may not be safe to consume alcohol while taking Abilify Asimtufii. Alcohol and Abilify Asimtufii can cause some similar side effects, including sleepiness and dizziness. If you drink alcohol while taking Abilify Asimtufii, you may be more likely to have these side effects, or they may be worse.

If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Abilify Asimtufii, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Abilify Asimtufii cost and coupons

As with all medications, the cost of Abilify Asimtufii can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Abilify Asimtufii, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, visit the Abilify Asimtufii website.

Generic version: Abilify Asimtufii is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Abilify Asimtufii, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Abilify Asimtufii:

• aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Opipza)
• aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada)
• lurasidone (Latuda)
• olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• olanzapine pamoate (Zyprexa Relprevv)
• paliperidone (Invega)
• paliperidone palmitate (Invega Hafyera, Invega Sustenna, Invega Trinza, Erzofri)
• quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR)
• risperidone (Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risvan, and others)

Things to consider when taking Abilify Asimtufii

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Abilify Asimtufii and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Abilify Asimtufii should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Certain side effects or withdrawal symptoms can occur in newborns when antipsychotic medications, such as Abilify Asimtufii, are used during the third trimester (28 to 40 weeks) of pregnancy. For more information, talk with your doctor.

If you do take Abilify Asimtufii during pregnancy, consider signing up for the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. This registry collects information about the safety of using drugs such as Abilify Asimtufii in pregnancy. For more information, call 866-961-2388 or visit the registry website.

Abilify Asimtufii and birth control

It’s not known whether Abilify Asimtufii is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking Abilify Asimtufii.

Abilify Asimtufii and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Abilify Asimtufii should be used while breastfeeding. The drug passes into breast milk, but it’s not known what effect it may have on a child who’s breastfed. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with this medication.

How Abilify Asimtufii works

Abilify Asimtufii is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.

Schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder

Doctors don’t fully understand what causes schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, with both of these mental health conditions, there are changes in the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain.

Dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters (chemicals that help send messages between nerve cells). They are involved in nerve pathways in your brain that help control your mood, feelings, thoughts, and behavior.

If your dopamine and serotonin levels are out of balance, they can affect the way messages are sent in these nerve pathways. This can lead to depression, mania, and psychosis.

What Abilify Asimtufii does

Doctors don’t fully understand how Abilify Asimtufii works to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. However, the drug attaches to receptors (attachment sites) for dopamine and serotonin on the nerve cells in your brain.

This action may help rebalance the activity of dopamine and serotonin in your brain. And it may readjust the nerve pathways that help control your mood, feelings, thoughts, and behavior. This can help reduce symptoms of depression, mania, and psychosis.