How is the Aristada injection given?

Key Points

• Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is given as an intramuscular (IM) injection into the muscle of your upper arm or buttock, based on your dose.
• Aristada is given to you by your healthcare provider either once every month, once every six weeks, or once every 2 months, depending upon your dose. You do not give this injection to yourself.
• Follow your treatment schedule exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Aristada is an atypical antipsychotic medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. It is available as a long-acting, extended-release suspension for injection. This medicine will be released slowly into your body over time.

Schizophrenia is a severe and long-term mental health disorder. Usually, symptoms are first seen in adults less than 30 years of age. These symptoms can include hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, believing other people are reading minds or controlling thoughts, and being suspicious or withdrawn.

How do I start treatment with Aristada?

Before you start treatment with Aristada or Aristada Initio, tell your doctor if you have never taken any form of aripiprazole before, such as Abilify or Abilify Maintena. If you've never received any form of aripiprazole, your doctor may first start you on an oral dose of aripiprazole for up to 2 weeks to make sure you tolerate it well.

There are two different ways to start treatment with Aristada. Your doctor will tell you which way you will start.

Option 1: You will receive 1 dose of Aristada Initio in combination with a single dose of oral aripiprazole. You may also receive your first injection of Aristada on the same day you receive Aristada Initio or up to 10 days after you receive Aristada Initio. Aristada Initio is not for repeat dosing and it may not be right for everyone.

Option 2: After your first injection of Aristada, you will take oral aripiprazole for 21 days in a row.

Be sure not to miss any appointments at your doctor's office to receive your dose. If you miss a dose of Aristada, call the office and ask what you should do next.

Related Questions

• How to switch from Abilify Maintena to Aristada?
• Why should you take aripiprazole in the morning?
• Does Abilify cause weight gain?

How does aripiprazole come?

The long-acting, intramuscular injectable form of aripiprazole comes as the brand name Aristada or Aristada Initio (generic name: aripiprazole lauroxil). These two medicines are used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients. Aristada Initio is used to start treatment with Aristada. Aristada and Aristada Initio are not interchangeable. These injections are given only by a healthcare provider.

Abilify MyCite is a special oral tablet formulation of aripiprazole. It contains a special sensor that allows patients, and, if given access, doctors and caregivers, to follow if the medicine is taken on a smartphone or web-based portal. The system sends a message from the pill’s sensor to a wearable patch on the patient, which then transmits to the device. Abilify MyCite is approved to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and major depressive disorder in adults.

Abilify Maintena is an extended-release, intramuscular injection used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder in adults. Abilify Maintena is given as a once-a-month injection to help prevent relapse. You would receive this injection at your doctor’s office.

Oral Abilify or its generic options (known as aripiprazole) come in several different forms: it comes as an oral tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet (which dissolves on your tongue without water), and as an oral liquid solution.

This is not all the information you need to know about Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) for safe and effective use. Review the full Aristada information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.