Classification: Atypical Antipsychotics

Generic: aripiprazole
Brand: (Abilify)

Action of Drug
1. Interferes with binding of
dopamine and serotonin
2. Increases dopamine and
Serotonin

Purpose of
Medication
1. Schizophrenia
2. Psychosis

Side Effects/Adverse Effects

Assessment

1. sedation, drowsiness, weight gain,

weight loss, headaches, fatigue,
blurred vision, photosensitivity,
alopecia, peripheral edema,
amenorrhea, hyperglycemia,
hypoglycemia, insomnia, anxiety,
agitation, dizziness, constipation,
nausea, vomiting, arthralgia,
dizziness, and sexual dysfunction

1. Medical and drug history

Tardive dyskinesia protrusion and rolling of the tongue;

suckinghypotension,
2. Orthostatic
hypertension, tachycardia,
and smacking movements of the lips; facial dyskinesias;bradycardia,
chewing EPS, dysrhythmias,
seizures, angina, angioedema,
motion; involuntary movement of body extrmeties
diabetes mellitus, suicidal ideation,
NMS, agranulocytosis, neutropenia,
and leukopenia
3. Stroke-like symptoms, tardive
dyskinesia

Client Education

2. Baseline vitals

1. Stop smoking

3. Mental status exam

2. Avoid if pregnant, or
breast feeding

4. Monitor for NMS

5. Monitor for hyperglycemia
6. Monitor for metabolic
syndrome (weight gain,
hypertension, hyperglycemia,
hypercholesterolemia and
hypertriglyceridemia)
7. Monitor for Cardiac function

3. Do not perform
hazardous tasks
4. Taking with food
delays drug effects
5. Change positions
slowly

8. CBC

Drug-Drug Interactions
1. Antidiabetic agents drug levels and risk of hyperglycemia
2. Alpha blockers and antihypertnsives risk of hypotension
3. Antipsychotics risk of NMS, EPS, tardive dyskinesia, anticholinergic effects,
hypotension and seizures
4. CNS depressantssedation and orthostatic hypotension
5. SSRIS (serotonin syndrome), calcium channel blockers (blood levels)
6. Counteract the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists (so careful with

Drug-Food Interactions
1. Grapefruit (blood levels)
2. St. Johns wort