Abilify
Abilify is an antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia. Side effects can include serious injuries like seizures and lead to death in older patients.
Abilify is approved by the FDA, but has been known to cause serious side effects, including memory loss, dizziness, drowsiness and weight gain. The FDA has also released a warning that Abilify increases chances of death in older patients.
Abilify is used to treat schizophrenia and some patients with severe bipolar disorder. The FDA has approved the drug (it is the sixth atypical antipsychotic to be approved), but it has also released a warning for older patients because of an increased chance of death.
According to the FDA, Abilify can also cause:
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
- potentially fatal
- has been linked to the administration of antipsychotic drugs
- patients experience hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, irregular pulse or blood pressure, acute renal failure
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- incurable syndrome
- involuntary movements that are irreversible
- highest among elderly women
- Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus
- patients with established diabetes mellitus must be monitored regularly
- patients with risk factors for diabetes mellitus should undergo blood testing before and while taking Abilify
- Orthostatic Hypertension
- should be used with caution for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease
- Seizure
- should be used with caution for patients with a history of seizures
- people age 65 or older are most at risk
- Cognitive and Motor Impairment
- impairs judgment, thinking and motor skills
- Body Temperature Regulation
- the body loses the ability to regulate and maintain core body temperature
- should use caution for patients who exercise frequently, are exposed to extreme heat, or subject to dehydration
- Dysphagia
- aspiration pneumonia is a common cause of death in older adults
Other less serious side effects include dizziness, constipation, nausea, headache, sleep problems and weight gain.
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use Abilify since it is excreted in breast milk. Patients should also avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water, and talk to their doctors about possible drug interactions.
Tags: abilify, antipsychotic, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia