Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic approved in 2009 by the US FDA for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in paediatric patients aged 6-17 years. Exactly how it works is not known. It affects certain substances in the brain.
Aripiprazole manufactured and marketed in Bangladesh in syrup form along with tablet form already in market produced by various local companies. In Aripiprazole syrup in the brand name of Ariprex has been marketed by Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic. It may increase the risk of death when used to treat mental problems caused by dementia in elderly patients. Most of the deaths were linked to heart problems or infection. Aripiprazole is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia.
Some medical conditions may interact with aripiprazole. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning
to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of seizures, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), dementia, Alzheimer disease, depression or other mental or mood disorders, or suicidal thoughts or attempts
if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume, drink alcohol, or smoke, or you will be exposed to high temperatures if you have never taken aripiprazole by mouth
Some medicines  may interact with aripiprazole. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine, methscopolamine) because the risk of overheating may be increased
Benzodiazepines (eg, lorazepam), clarithromycin, fluoxetine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, paroxetine, or quinidine because they may increase the risk of aripiprazole's side effects
Carbamazepine or rifampin because they may decrease aripiprazole's effectiveness
Alpha-blockers (eg, terazosin) or medicine for high blood pressure because the risk of their side effects may be increased by aripiprazole
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur.
Important safety information
Aripiprazole may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.
Use aripiprazole with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using aripiprazole.
Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using aripiprazole; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
Aripiprazole may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects.
To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
Do not take more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
NMS is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by aripiprazole. Symptoms may include fever, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal thinking, fast or irregular heartbeat, and sweating.
Some patients who take aripiprazole may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take aripiprazole in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking aripiprazole.
Older adults with dementia taking medicines like this one have had a higher number of strokes. Sometimes these strokes have been deadly. Aripiprazole is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia. Talk with your doctor.
Do not become overheated or dehydrated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
Aripiprazole may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
Aripiprazole may raise your blood sugar or increase your risk of developing diabetes. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
Diabetes patients - Aripiprazole may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Aripiprazole may cause weight gain in some patients. You may need regular weight checks while taking aripiprazole. Use aripiprazole with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially uncontrolled muscle movements or seizures.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
It is not known if aripiprazole can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using aripiprazole while you are pregnant. Using aripiprazole during the third trimester may result in uncontrolled muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Aripiprazole is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking aripiprazole.
Possible side effects of aripiprazole:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; light-headedness; nausea; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; restlessness; stomach upset; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased sweating; involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaw, arms, legs, or back (eg, chewing movements, puckering of mouth, puffing of cheeks); loss of control over urination; loss of coordination; muscle tremor, jerking, or stiffness; new or worsening mental or mood problems (eg, anxiety, depression, agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, inability to sit still); one-sided weakness; seizures; severe or persistent restlessness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, urination, or appetite; unusual weakness); trouble swallowing; trouble walking; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes.
Source: drugs.com