What is Aristada Initio?
Abilify Maintena and Abilify Asimtufii are prescribed for adults to address schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Aristada is employed in adults to manage schizophrenia. It is administered alongside oral Aristada Initio to begin or reinitiate Aristada treatment.
Aristada Initio may also serve additional purposes not specified in this medication overview.
Aristada Initio Side Effects
Seek urgent medical attention if you notice signs of an allergic response, such as hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Extended use or elevated doses of aripiprazole might trigger a significant movement condition that could be permanent. The likelihood of developing this issue grows with prolonged use of Aristada Initio, especially among women and elderly individuals.
During treatment with Aristada Initio, you may experience heightened sexual impulses, a strong desire to gamble, or other powerful urges. Consult your physician if these emerge.
Aristada Initio can lead to severe side effects. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you encounter:
- Unintentional muscle motions in your face (such as chewing, lip pursing, frowning, tongue shifting, or frequent blinking/eye movements);
- Sensations of extreme heat or cold;
- Challenges with swallowing;
- A convulsion;
- A sense that you might lose consciousness (even while resting);
- A critical nervous system response—marked by rigid muscles, elevated temperature, perspiration, disorientation, rapid or irregular pulse, shaking, or a faint-like feeling;
- Reduced blood cell levels—symptoms include fever, chills, exhaustion, sores in the mouth or on the skin, frequent bruising, abnormal bleeding, pale complexion, icy hands and feet, dizziness, or breathlessness;
- Indicators of infection—such as fever, chills, throat soreness, body pains, profound fatigue, reduced appetite, or bruising/bleeding;
- Elevated blood glucose—evidenced by greater thirst, more frequent urination, dry mouth, or a fruity breath scent.
Typical side effects of Aristada Initio might include:
- A sense of unease;
- Discomfort at the injection location;
- Increased body weight;
- Or sleepiness.
Beyond these, other possible effects could emerge during treatment. These might include:
- Digestive disturbances—like nausea, vomiting, constipation, or abdominal discomfort;
- Headaches ranging from mild to intense;
- Changes in mood or mental state—such as anxiety, irritability, or moments of confusion;
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing your eyes;
- A sensation of tingling or numbness in your hands, feet, or limbs;
- Muscle stiffness or joint pain unrelated to the injection site;
- Sleep disturbances—either trouble falling asleep or excessive sleeping;
- Skin reactions—like rashes, itching, or heightened sensitivity at areas not linked to the injection;
- Fluctuations in appetite—either a marked increase or decrease in hunger;
- Or heart-related sensations—such as a mildly racing pulse or a feeling of palpitations.
Warnings
Aristada Initio is not sanctioned for use in elderly adults experiencing psychosis tied to dementia.
Before Using This Medication:
- You should not receive Aristada Initio if you have an allergic reaction to it.
- Notify your physician if you’ve never previously taken Aristada Initio.
- Aristada Initio might heighten the mortality risk for older adults with dementia-linked psychosis, and it’s not approved for this condition.
Inform your doctor if you currently have or have had:
- Issues accepting injections in the arm or buttocks;
- Cardiovascular issues, including heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes;
- High or low blood pressure;
- Raised blood sugar or diabetes (personal or family history);
- Convulsions;
- Elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
- Dehydration;
- Or decreased white blood cell counts.
Special considerations if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
- Taking antipsychotic drugs in the final three months of pregnancy could lead to serious newborn complications.
- Alert your doctor promptly if you conceive, and avoid stopping the medication without professional advice.
- If pregnant, your details might be recorded in a pregnancy registry to assess aripiprazole’s effects on your child.
- Check with a doctor about the safety of breastfeeding while receiving Aristada Initio.
How is Aristada Initio Administered?
If you’re already taking another antipsychotic drug, you may need to temporarily continue it. Don’t adjust your dosage or timing without your doctor’s input.
If you’re new to Aristada Initio, you might need to ingest it orally (via tablet or liquid) before your initial injection.
You could be required to take Aristada Initio by mouth for up to three weeks post-first injection. Follow your doctor’s dosage directions meticulously.
Aristada Initio is delivered through a muscular injection. A medical professional will administer this shot every 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor might periodically modify your dose and injection timing.
Your blood sugar will require regular monitoring, and additional medical evaluations may be necessary.
What if I Miss a Dose?
Contact your healthcare provider for advice if you miss a scheduled Aristada Initio injection.
What if I Overdose?
Seek emergency care or dial the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if an overdose occurs.
Overdose signs might include:
- lethargy
- faint or shallow breathing
- nausea
- hostility
- weariness
- confusion
- trembling
- rapid, slow, or uneven heartbeats
- lightheadedness
- high blood pressure
- convulsions
- fainting.
What to Avoid While Using Aristada Initio
Avoid rising quickly from a seated or reclining position to prevent dizziness. Refrain from driving or risky tasks until you know how Aristada Initio impacts you, as dizziness or tiredness could result in falls, mishaps, or severe harm.
Steer clear of alcohol, as it may lead to dangerous side effects.
Prevent overheating or dehydration during exercise, in warm conditions, or if you’re not drinking enough. Ensure ample fluid intake while on Aristada Initio.
Limit sun exposure and avoid tanning beds. Wear protective gear and apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when outside.
What Other Medications Might Affect Aristada Initio?
It can be unsafe to combine certain drugs simultaneously. Some medications can influence the levels of other drugs in your system, possibly amplifying side effects or diminishing effectiveness. Here’s a list of known interactions:
Major Interactions
- Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam): Can increase sedation and orthostatic hypotension risk
- Certain antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole): May increase Aristada Initio side effects
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin): Can increase aripiprazole levels
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine): May decrease Aristada Initio effectiveness
- Certain antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine): Can increase aripiprazole levels
Moderate Interactions
- Blood pressure medications (e.g., carvedilol, lisinopril): May enhance hypotensive effects
- Antiepileptic drugs (e.g., phenytoin): Can reduce Aristada Initio efficacy
- Ritonavir and ritonavir-containing medications: May increase aripiprazole levels
- Quinidine: Can increase aripiprazole concentrations
- Other CNS depressants: May enhance sedative effects
Minor Interactions
- Famotidine: No significant interaction, but monitoring advised
- Valproate: No dosage adjustment required, but caution advised
- Lithium: No significant interaction, but monitoring recommended
Other Considerations
- Cannabis/CBD: May increase sedation and fatigue
- Alcohol: Can potentially increase CNS depression effects
Inform your healthcare providers about all medications, supplements, and substances used to prevent potential interactions with Aristada Initio.
Materials and sources:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-aristada-interactions
- https://labeling.alkermes.com/uspi_aristadainitio.pdf
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-170041/aristada-intramuscular/details
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/207533s013lbl.pdf
- https://www.aristadahcp.com
- https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01238