It's important to take aripiprazole as your doctor tells you.
Dosage and strength
Standard aripiprazole tablets come in strengths of 5mg, 10mg, 15mg and 30mg.
The tablets that melt in your mouth (orodispersible tablets) come in strengths of 10mg, 15mg and 30mg.
The liquid contains 1mg per 1ml.
Your dose of aripiprazole depends on why you're taking it. Your doctor may change your dose depending on how well it works for you.
If you have problems with your liver, your doctor may ask you to take a lower dose and increase your dose very slowly.
Dose for schizophrenia
The usual starting dose for adults is 10mg or 15mg a day, taken as a single dose.
Most people feel better on daily doses of 15mg. Your doctor may increase your dose up to 30mg a day if you need it.
Children and young people aged 15 years old and over will usually start with a low dose of 2mg a day for 2 days. Your child's doctor will increase this to 5mg a day for 2 days and then 10mg a day, taken as a single dose.
Most children and young people feel better with daily doses of 10mg. Your child's doctor may increase their dose slowly up to 30mg a day if they need it.
Some people with schizophrenia need to have aripiprazole as an injection. Usually, you'll have been taking aripiprazole tablets or liquid before switching to the injection.
Dose for mania
The usual starting dose for adults is 15mg a day, taken as a single dose. Your doctor may increase your dose up to 30mg a day if you need it.
Children and young people aged 13 to 17 years old usually start with a low dose of 2mg a day for 2 days. Your child's doctor will increase this to 5mg a day for 2 days and then 10mg a day, taken as a single dose.
Most children and young people feel better with daily doses of 10mg. Your child's doctor may increase their dose slowly up to 30mg a day if they need it. They'll also tell you how long your child needs to take it for. This is usually up to 12 weeks.
How to take tablets and liquids
You can take aripiprazole tablets or liquid with or without food.
Try to take your dose at around the same time each day.
Standard tablets
Swallow your tablet with a drink of water.
Tablets that melt in your mouth (orodispersible)
Make sure your hands are dry. Only remove a tablet from the pack when you're ready to take it and put it on your tongue straight away.
The tablet will start dissolving within seconds. You can have a drink of water afterwards if you like.
Instead of putting the tablet on your tongue, you can put it in a small glass of water if you prefer. Drink the water as soon as the tablet has dissolved and make sure you finish it all.
Liquid
Your medicine will come with a syringe, dropper (pipette) or measuring cup to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask a pharmacist for one.
Follow the instructions in the leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Injection
If you have aripiprazole as an injection, you'll usually have it once a month at your GP surgery or from your mental health team.
After you've had an injection, the medicine works for a few weeks. The dose will depend on how well it works for you.
Aripiprazole also comes as a short-acting injection, but this is usually only given in hospital if you need your symptoms to be treated quickly.
How long to take it for
You may need to take aripiprazole for a long time.
It's important to keep taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. If you want to stop taking aripiprazole, talk to your doctor first.
Important
Keep taking aripiprazole even if you feel better. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember if it's within a few hours. If you miss a whole day's dose, skip the missed dose and take it the next day at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you miss 2 or more doses, contact your doctor for advice.
If you forget or cannot have your long-acting injection, talk to your doctor or nurse as soon as possible to rearrange the appointment.
If you often forget doses it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking too much aripiprazole can cause serious side effects. You may:
- feel sleepy or tired
- have a fast heartbeat
- feel sick, be sick or have diarrhoea
- have muscle spasms
- have unusual body movements
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you've taken more than your prescribed dose of aripiprazole
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the aripiprazole packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.
Stopping aripiprazole
Do not stop taking aripiprazole unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking it your symptoms may come back.
If your doctor asks you to stop taking aripiprazole, your dose may be reduced slowly over a few days.
Talk to your doctor if you have any problems when you reduce your dose or stop taking it.