Aripiprazole

Course overview

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic that was originally approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, and thereafter for bipolar I disorder. Its use has continued to expand as it is now used to treat other psychiatric conditions, such as irritability in children and Tourette syndrome. Recent studies have suggested that aripiprazole decreases suicide risk as compared to other antipsychotics or placebo. Aripiprazole tends to be well tolerated. Common side effects from aripiprazole use include certain movement disorders and gastrointestinal symptoms. Other adverse effects found with other antipsychotic drugs are not as significant with the use of aripiprazole. This makes aripiprazole a potentially preferable pharmacological treatment choice for some patients.