Like all medicines, aripiprazole can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
These common side effects of aripiprazole may happen in up to 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
This usually gets better over time. If you've been taking the medicine at night, you can switch to taking it in the morning.
Avoid having a big meal, smoking, or drinking alcohol, tea or coffee in the evening. Try not to watch television or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Instead, try to relax for an hour before bedtime.
If your sleep does not get better, talk to your doctor.
Feeling anxious and restless
This usually gets better over time. If it does not improve after a few days, talk to your doctor.
Headache
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Talk to your doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling sick or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your aripiprazole after you've had a meal or snack.
If you're being sick, try having small, frequent sips of water or squash to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Indigestion
It may help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you're taking this medicine.
Constipation
Get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Feeling sleepy
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you feel sleepy. As your body gets used to aripiprazole, this tends to wear off over time. If you've been taking the medicine in the morning, you can switch to taking it in the evening.
If you're still feeling sleepy after a few weeks, speak to your doctor.
Blurred vision
Speak to your doctor if you get this side effect.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor or call 111 now if you:
- feel thirsty, need to pee a lot, feel tired and are losing weight – these could be signs of high blood sugar or diabetes
- find it difficult to control your impulse or temptation to do something that could harm you or others, such as gambling too much, increased sex drive, uncontrollable shopping, binge eating, or a tendency to wander away
- get swelling, pain and redness in your leg – this could be a sign of a blood clot
- get problems with your movement such as feeling like you need to move all the time, difficulty moving or stiff muscles that make your movements jerky
- get uncontrollable movements of your mouth, tongue and limbs
- get twisting movements of your body or limbs, such as your neck being twisted to the side or your feet turning inwards – this could be a sign of a condition called dystonia
- have a fast heartbeat
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you have chest pain
- you have difficulty breathing
- you have had a seizure or fit
- you have a painful erection that lasts more than 2 hours – this may happen even when you're not having sex
- you have a high temperature, muscle stiffness, sweating, anxiety or excess saliva – these may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- you have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life or harming others
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring all the medicines you take with you.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to aripiprazole.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of aripiprazole. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.