Arpizol 10 mg Tablet

Atypical antipsychotic (dopamine partial agonist) for:

• Schizophrenia (adults and adolescents 15+)
• Bipolar I disorder: manic episodes and prevention (adults and adolescents 13+)
• Add-on treatment for major depression (specialist)
• Irritability in autism and Tourette's syndrome in children (specialist)

Schizophrenia: 10–15 mg once daily; range 10–30 mg daily.

Mania: 15 mg once daily (with or without a mood stabiliser); up to 30 mg.

Adolescents: start 2 mg daily, increase to 10 mg over 4–5 days.

Depression (add-on): 2–5 mg daily, up to 15 mg.

• Once daily, with or without food.
• Long-acting monthly injection: specialist only.

• Allergy to aripiprazole

Common: restlessness/akathisia, insomnia, headache, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, tremor, blurred vision, tiredness.

Less common: drowsiness, low blood pressure on standing, fast heartbeat, weight change (less weight gain than other antipsychotics).

Serious: impulse-control problems (gambling, binge eating, shopping, hypersexuality), tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seizures, suicidal thoughts, high blood sugar, increased stroke/death risk in elderly with dementia.

• Ask about compulsive behaviours; family members may notice first.
• Heart disease, seizures, diabetes, history of gambling: caution.
• May affect driving.

Use in pregnancy only if benefit outweighs risk; newborn may have movement or withdrawal symptoms. May reduce milk production — specialist decision about breastfeeding.

• Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine) or CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin) — halve the dose
• Carbamazepine, rifampicin — double the dose
• Alcohol, sedatives (more drowsiness)
• Antihypertensives (low BP)
• Serotonergic drugs (serotonin syndrome, rare)

Drowsiness, vomiting, tremor, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, reduced consciousness. Emergency care.

Store below 30°C.