Abilify Maintena

Generic name: aripiprazole lauroxil (injection) [ AR-i-PIP-ra-zole ]
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jul 21, 2023.

What is Abilify Maintena?

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) extended-release injection is used alone or in combination with other aripiprazole preparations to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions).

Abilify Maintena is also used for the ongoing treatment of people with bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods)

Abilify Maintena belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.

Abilify Maintena is an extended-release injectable suspension of aripiprazole that only has to be given once a month.

Warnings

Abilify Maintena is not approved for use in older adults with psychotic conditions related to dementia. Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with Abilify Maintena if you are allergic to aripiprazole.

Tell your doctor if you have never taken Abilify Maintena.

Abilify Maintena may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

To make sure Abilify Maintena is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a problem in receiving an injection in the arm or buttocks;

• heart disease, a heart attack or stroke;

• high or low blood pressure;

• high blood sugar, diabetes (in you or family member);

• a seizure;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• dehydration; or

• low white blood cell (WBC) counts.

Using antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn. Tell your doctor right away if you get pregnant. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of aripiprazole on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Related/similar drugs

Rexulti, Vraylar, quetiapine, lamotrigine, aripiprazole, Abilify, Seroquel

How is Abilify Maintena given?

Use Abilify Maintena as prescribed by your doctor. If you already use other antipsychotic medication, you may need to keep using it for a short time. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.

If you have never used Abilify Maintena, you may need to take aripiprazole by mouth (in tablet or liquid form) before you receive your first injection.

You will need to continue taking aripiprazole by mouth for 14 days after your first injection. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Abilify Maintena is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection once every 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose and dosing schedule.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked on a regular basis, and you may need other medical tests.

Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:

Aripiprazole Extended-Release IM Suspension:
-Initial dose: 400 mg IM once; continue aripiprazole IR 10 to 20 mg orally once a day for 14 days
-Maintenance dose: 300 to 400 mg IM once a month; the dose should not be given sooner than 26 days after the previous injection

Comments:
-Prior to initiating therapy with extended-release IM formulations, tolerability should be established with oral formulations; it may take up to 2 weeks to fully assess tolerability due to the half-life of aripiprazole.
-The first dose of the extended-release IM formulation should be given on the same day as the initiation/re-initiation dose; providers should avoid injecting both formulations in the same deltoid or gluteal muscle.
-Providers whose patients who experience adverse reactions with 400 mg/month extended-release IM suspension doses may consider reducing the dose to 300 mg/month.
-Dose regimen adjustments (including addition of oral supplementation) will be needed for missed doses.

Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder:

Aripiprazole Extended-Release IM Suspension:
-Initial dose: 400 mg IM once; continue aripiprazole IR 10 to 20 mg orally once a day for 14 days
-Maintenance dose: 300 to 400 mg IM once a month; the dose should not be given sooner than 26 days after the previous injection

Comments:
-Providers whose patients who experience adverse reactions with 400 mg/month extended-release IM suspension doses may consider reducing the dose to 300 mg/month.
-The dose recommended for maintenance treatment is the same dose needed to stabilize patients during acute treatment; healthcare providers should periodically reassess need for maintenance treatment.

Uses:
-Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder
-Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder as monotherapy and as adjunct to lithium or valproate
-Maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as monotherapy and as adjunct to lithium or valproate
-Maintenance monotherapy treatment of bipolar I disorder

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your aripiprazole injection.

If you miss the second or third doses, and:

• if more than 4 weeks and less than 5 weeks have elapsed since the last injection, administer the injection as soon as possible.
• if more than 5 weeks have elapsed since the last injection, restart and also take oral aripiprazole for 14 days with the next administered injection.

If the fourth or subsequent doses are missed:

• if more than 4 weeks and less than 6 weeks have elapsed since the last injection, administer the injection as soon as possible.
• if more than 6 weeks have elapsed since the last injection, restart and also take oral aripiprazole for 14 days with the next administered injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, weak or shallow breathing, vomiting, aggression, tiredness, confusion, tremors, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate, a light-headed feeling, high blood pressure, seizures, or fainting.

What should I avoid while receiving Abilify Maintena?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Drink plenty of liquids while you are receiving Abilify Maintena.

Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Abilify Maintena side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

High doses or long-term use of aripiprazole can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use Abilify Maintena, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while using this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Abilify Maintena may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

• feeling unusually hot or cold;

• trouble swallowing;

• a seizure;

• feeling like you might pass out (even while lying down);

• severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;

• low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

• signs of infection - fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding; or

• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor.

Common Abilify Maintena side effects may include:

• feeling restless;

• pain where the medicine was injected;

• weight gain; or

• drowsiness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Abilify Maintena?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Abilify Maintena, especially:

• blood pressure medications;

• a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;

• bronchodilator asthma medication;

• cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);

• medicine to treat overactive bladder;

• medicine to treat Parkinson's disease; or

• medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with aripiprazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: aripiprazole monohydrate.
Inactive ingredients: carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, mannitol, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and sodium hydroxide.

Manufacturer

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, 101-8535 Japan.

Popular FAQ

View more FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Abilify Maintena only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01.