Abilify Asimtufii (Aripiprazole) for Bipolar 1 Disorder

Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as maintenance treatment used alone for adults with bipolar 1 disorder.

How Abilify Asimtufii Works and How It's Taken

Abilify Asimtufii works on dopamine and serotonin receptors, which are chemical signaling sites in the brain. The exact way it works is not fully known. In adults with bipolar 1 disorder, it is approved as maintenance treatment used alone and may help lower the chance that mood episodes come back.

Doctors prescribe Abilify Asimtufii when someone has bipolar 1 disorder. The medication is given as an injection into the buttock muscle once every two months. When starting treatment, some people may need oral aripiprazole for a short time or another related injection. These injections are not given at home.

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Abilify Asimtufii Side Effects

The most common side effects reported in clinical studies of Abilify Asimtufii for maintenance monotherapy treatment of bipolar 1 disorder in adults were:

Weight gain
Akathisia (restlessness or feeling like you need to move)
Injection site pain
Sedation (sleepiness)

In clinical studies of Abilify Asimtufii for maintenance monotherapy treatment of bipolar 1 disorder in adults, the most common side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 17 percent of people.

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Abilify Asimtufii can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Stroke and mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare, life-threatening reaction that can cause high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, and unstable blood pressure or heart rate)
Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled body movements that may not go away)
Metabolic changes (high blood sugar/diabetes, unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride changes, and weight gain)
Compulsive behaviors (strong urges such as gambling, shopping, sex, or binge eating that are hard to control)
Orthostatic hypotension and fainting (a drop in blood pressure when standing that can cause dizziness or passing out)
Falls (which can lead to fractures or other injuries)
Low white blood cell count, including neutropenia or agranulocytosis (which can raise infection risk)
Convulsions (seizures)
Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema (which can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and trouble breathing)
DRESS (a rare, serious drug reaction that can cause rash and affect internal organs)
Trouble swallowing (which can raise the risk of choking or breathing food or liquid into the lungs)
Problems controlling body temperature (overheating or dehydration)

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Ability Asimtufii

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical offers the Abilify Asimtufii Savings Card Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0. For additional cost and coverage options, visit the cost and coverage page.

The Abilify Asimtufii Savings Card Program also offers help with enrolling in the program over the phone. To learn more, visit the savings card page or call 1-833-468-7852.

What To Know Before Taking Abilify Asimtufii

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to aripiprazole or any ingredients in Abilify Asimtufii.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take Abilify Asimtufii if you have had a serious allergic reaction to aripiprazole or any of its ingredients.

Abilify Asimtufii is also FDA approved to treat schizophrenia in adults.

If you miss a dose and it has been more than eight weeks but less than 14 weeks since your last injection, get your next injection as soon as possible and then return to your regular every-two-month schedule. If it has been more than 14 weeks, you will need to restart treatment with a one-day or 14-day plan.

There is a pregnancy registry that collects information about people exposed to this medicine during pregnancy — visit the website of the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics or call 1-866-961-2388. Abilify Asimtufii can pass into breast milk and may lower milk supply. Your doctor may monitor your baby for dehydration and poor weight gain.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Abilify Asimtufii, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Abilify Asimtufii?
In a 52-week study, adults with bipolar 1 disorder who received long-acting aripiprazole had a longer time before mood episodes came back compared to placebo. It also delayed the return of manic and mixed episodes. It did not show a clear difference for depressive episodes.

How often is Abilify Asimtufii taken for bipolar 1 disorder?
Abilify Asimtufii is given by a healthcare provider as an injection into the buttock once every two months, or 56 days after the last dose. The usual dose is 960 milligrams, but it may be lowered to 720 milligrams if side effects occur.

Can Abilify Asimtufii be used with other medicines for bipolar 1 disorder?
For bipolar 1 disorder, this medicine is used alone as maintenance treatment. When starting treatment, some people may need oral aripiprazole or, if already stable on another antipsychotic and able to tolerate aripiprazole, continue that medicine for 14 days.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Abilify Asimtufii for bipolar 1 disorder?
If you miss a dose and it has been more than eight weeks but less than 14 weeks, get the next injection as soon as possible and continue your regular schedule. If more than 14 weeks have passed, treatment needs to be restarted with a one-day or 14-day plan. You may receive your injection up to two weeks before or two weeks after your scheduled date.