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Drug: Abilify
Abilify, also known as Aripiprazole, is a well-known drug used to cure different mental health issues. This manual intends to give detailed information about Abilify highlighting its uses, potential side effects, dose and care advice for patients. Understanding Abilify is essential in the management of mental health more so if a person has intentions of taking it or wants it for their loved ones.
What is Abilify?
Abilify combines antipsychotic action with modifiers of brain chemistry. The focus of this medication is primarily on mental and mood disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and sometimes major depressive disorder when other drugs are administered alongside it. It mainly acts by getting certain key neurotransmitters that occur naturally in the brain back into balance thereby offering relief from symptoms related to these conditions.
Uses of Abilify
- Schizophrenia: This medication treats schizophrenia which affects thought processes, emotional expression and behaviour in an individual.
- Bipolar Disorder: For instance it can prevent extreme mood swings associated with bipolar disorder including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
- Major Depressive Disorder: To boost the effect of primary treatment while being taken together with other medications can be helpful in managing major depression.
- Autism-related Irritability: Indeed children who have autism are very aggressive; treat them through irritability in their behaviours such as mood changes or temper tantrums.
Potential Side Effects of Abilify
In spite of its efficacy, some side effects may occur while taking Abilify. The most common ones are headache, anxiety, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Severe conditions may affect many of the patients including increased chances of stroke, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia or metabolic alterations. It is important that one discusses these potential dangers with his or her healthcare provider.
Dosage and Administration
Abilify doses depend on the age of the patient, their general health status and nature of the condition under treatment. In most cases it is taken once daily whether with food or without food. Dosage changes should only be effected by a health care professional so as to guarantee safety and efficacy.
Important Information for Patients
- Do not adjust the dose of Abilify given by your doctor without consulting him/her.
- You need to tell your physician about all other drugs you are currently taking because Abilify could interact with them causing harmful effects.
- If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction to Abilify like hives; difficulty breathing; swelling in face, lips, tongue or throat then report this to your doctor at once.
- Such patients must be very cautious when using Abilify since it can cause complications for those with prior cardiovascular diseases, seizures or diabetes.
Conclusion
This is a major stride towards curbing mental illnesses by improving medications like Abilify. It has become invaluable in managing schizophrenia symptoms in addition to bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Nonetheless this drug comes along some side effects which can be hazardous if not well thought-out; thus consulting a healthcare provider is necessary before acquiring it for any specific purpose so as to establish its appropriateness and safe application.