Why should you take aripiprazole in the morning?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 6, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Aripiprazole is one of those medications that can cause sleepiness in some people and insomnia (an inability to get to sleep) in others. Aripiprazole should be preferably taken in the morning, especially if it keeps you awake at night. Research also suggests taking it at night may antagonize D2 dopamine receptors and disrupt 24h rhythms in insulin release, possibly exacerbating metabolic dysfunction. In one study of 143 people (90 of whom took aripiprazole in the morning and 53 who took it at night) reported:

A significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) in those who took aripiprazole at night but no change in those who took it in the morning
A non-significant trend toward higher serum triglycerides in those who took aripiprazole at night
No difference in HbA1c, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or blood pressure.

The most important thing is to take your aripiprazole. If it makes you sleepy or you are more likely to remember to take it, take it at night.

References

Takaki M. Aripiprazole as Monotherapy at Bedtime Was Effective for Treatment of Two Cases of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Insomnia. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinicl Neurosciences. 2014 (26):3 https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.13100245
Danielle A. Chipchura1, Zachary Freyberg2, Corey Edwards1, Susan G. Leckband1 and Michael J. McCarthy1,3. Does the Time of Drug Administration Alter the Metabolic Risk of Aripiprazole? Front. Psychiatry, 11 October 2018 Sec. Psychological Therapy and Psychosomatics https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00494

Does Abilify cause weight gain?

Although Abilify (aripiprazole) has been found to cause less weight gain than other atypical antipsychotics, there is evidence that in certain people it can cause significant weight gain and it may be more likely to cause weight gain in people who are taking it for depression alongside other antidepressants. Side effects such as weight gain may be significant enough for some people to discontinue Abilify, even when it is working well to manage symptoms. Continue reading

What is the difference between Abilify and Abilify Maintena?

The main differences between Abilify and Abilify Maintena are how they are supplied, how they are administered, their FDA-approved uses and their costs. They both contain the active ingredient aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic, and are approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Continue reading

How does Abilify MyCite work?

The oral tablet formulation Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole) is embedded with the ingestible Proteus sensor that allows patients, and, if given access, doctors and caregivers, to track ingestion of the Abilify medication 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. Continue reading

Why should you take aripiprazole in the morning?

Read next

Does Abilify cause weight gain?

What is the difference between Abilify and Abilify Maintena?

How does Abilify MyCite work?

See also:

Aimovig

Botox

Vraylar

Nurtec ODT

Emgality

Inderal

Ajovy

Vyepti

Botox Cosmetic

Fremanezumab

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups