FAQs

It's normal to have questions when you're thinking about starting a medication. The information on this page may answer some of those questions.

Use the links below to quickly find the information you're looking for.

About ABILIFY MAINTENA

What is ABILIFY MAINTENA?

ABILIFY MAINTENA is an injection given by a healthcare provider. It is the only once-monthly* maintenance treatment for bipolar I in adults. It is not known if ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

*You should continue to take your current bipolar I disorder medication for 2 weeks after your first treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Is ABILIFY MAINTENA FDA-approved?

Yes, ABILIFY MAINTENA is the first and only FDA-approved once-monthly maintenance treatment for bipolar I in adults.

What else is ABILIFY MAINTENA approved to treat?

ABILIFY MAINTENA is also FDA-approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ABILIFY MAINTENA
FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

Before starting ABILIFY MAINTENA

Have you already taken the pill form of aripiprazole?

If you have, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. He or she will need to know how well your body can tolerate the medicine before starting you on once-monthly* ABILIFY MAINTENA.

If you have not, you will first take the pill form of aripiprazole for 2 weeks before getting your first injection. This is so your healthcare provider can see how well your body tolerates the medicine.

*You should continue to take your current bipolar I disorder medication for 2 weeks after your first treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Do I need to stay on my current treatment after I start ABILIFY MAINTENA?

To keep a consistent level of medicine in your body, you will need to continue taking your current treatment for 2 weeks when you start ABILIFY MAINTENA.

What if I am taking medication for other conditions I have?

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

ABILIFY MAINTENA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. ABILIFY MAINTENA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how ABILIFY MAINTENA works.

Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to receive ABILIFY MAINTENA with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA without talking to your healthcare provider first.

Receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA

Can I inject ABILIFY MAINTENA myself?

No. ABILIFY MAINTENA is given by a healthcare professional only. Your healthcare provider may be able to give you your injection in his or her office, or you can find a Local Care Center (LCC) in your area.

Where is ABILIFY MAINTENA injected into the body? 

You will receive ABILIFY MAINTENA in your shoulder or buttock.

What are the most common side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA?

The most common side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA include: weight gain, inner sense of restlessness such as feeling like you need to move, injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation). These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA.

What should I do if I am having any side effects?

You should call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is a Local Care Center (LCC)?

LCCs are places where you can get your prescribed injection instead of your healthcare provider’s office. These can be retail pharmacies, urgent care clinics, dialysis centers, and infusion centers where a healthcare provider can give you your ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Find A Local Care Center

Where can I go to receive my injection?

Your healthcare provider may give you your ABILIFY MAINTENA injection, or you can receive it at a Local Care Center (LCC). Learn more about LCCs here.

About financial assistance options

Is there financial assistance available for ABILIFY MAINTENA?

If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford your ABILIFY MAINTENA injections, the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation (OPAF) might be able to help you get your ABILIFY MAINTENA medicine for free.*

*Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. does not control or influence how the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation distributes funds.

Am I eligible for financial assistance?

You can find out if you are eligible for financial assistance, whether you have insurance or not. Call Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation at 1-855-727-6274, to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

The ABILIFY MAINTENA Savings Card

How much will I pay with the Savings Card?

Eligible patients may pay as little as $10 per 30-day calendar month with an annual maximum benefit of $8,000 and monthly $1,400 maximum.* Presumes only 1 prescription filled per calendar month.

*Conditions apply. Find out more about the Savings Card.

How long can I use my Savings Card?

There is currently no expiration date for using this card. Please keep in mind that Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. has the right to change or end this program at any time without notice.

What happens if I switch pharmacies or healthcare providers?

If you change your pharmacy where you get your injection, you'll need to present your Savings Card again with a valid prescription. If you change your healthcare provider, you'll need to present them with your Savings Card so they can call in your prescription with the Savings Card. If you no longer have a card, please call 1-888-591-9812 to get a replacement card.

Am I eligible for the Savings Card?

In order to be eligible, you must have commercial health insurance and be 18 years or older. The Savings Card is not valid for prescriptions reimbursed in whole or in part under any federal or state health programs, including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, DOD, and the VA. Other conditions apply.

GET THE FULL DETAILS

Magifying glass with plus sign icon
Magifying glass with plus sign icon

Find out how ABILIFY MAINTENA may help you Learn More

INDICATIONS and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATIONS for ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATIONS for ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ABILIFY MAINTENA. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).

Do not receive ABILIFY MAINTENA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY MAINTENA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause serious side effects including:

  • Increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in clinical studies with oral aripiprazole of elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and can lead to death.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of NMS: high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, or changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure.
  • Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA.
  • Problems with your metabolism such as:

    • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who receive ABILIFY MAINTENA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA and during your treatment.

    Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA:

  • feel very thirsty

  • need to urinate more than usual

  • feel very hungry

  • feel weak or tired

  • feel sick to your stomach

  • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity

  • Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood.
  • Weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly.
  • Unusual urges. Some people receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA have had unusual urges such as gambling, binge eating or eating that you cannot control (compulsive), compulsive shopping, and sexual urges.

    If you or your family members notice that you are having unusual urges or behaviors, talk to your healthcare provider.

  • Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
  • Low white blood cell count
  • Seizures (convulsions)
  • Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Do not become too hot or dehydrated while you receive ABILIFY MAINTENA. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
  • Difficulty swallowing

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ABILIFY MAINTENA affects you. ABILIFY MAINTENA may make you feel drowsy.

Do not drink alcohol while you receive ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Before receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have never taken aripiprazole before

  • have diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA and during your treatment.

  • have or had seizures (convulsions)

  • have or had low or high blood pressure

  • have or had heart problems or a stroke

  • have or had a low white blood cell count

  • have problems that may affect you receiving an injection in your arm or buttocks

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ABILIFY MAINTENA will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or go to http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ABILIFY MAINTENA can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive ABILIFY MAINTENA.

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

ABILIFY MAINTENA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA without talking to your healthcare provider first.

The most common side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA include: weight gain, inner sense of restlessness such as feeling like you need to move (akathisia), injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation).

It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be signs of a condition called dystonia.

These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA.

If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.

You are encouraged to report side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole). Please contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1-800-438-9927 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).

INDICATIONS

ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole) is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional for:

  • treatment of schizophrenia in adults
  • maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults

It is not known if ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

 

Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ABILIFY MAINTENA. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).

Do not receive ABILIFY MAINTENA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY MAINTENA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause serious side effects including:

  • Increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in clinical studies with oral aripiprazole of elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and can lead to death.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of NMS: high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, or changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure.
  • Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA.
  • Problems with your metabolism such as:

    • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who receive ABILIFY MAINTENA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA and during your treatment.

    Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA:

  • feel very thirsty

  • need to urinate more than usual

  • feel very hungry

  • feel weak or tired

  • feel sick to your stomach

  • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity

  • Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood.
  • Weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly.
  • Unusual urges. Some people receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA have had unusual urges such as gambling, binge eating or eating that you cannot control (compulsive), compulsive shopping, and sexual urges.

    If you or your family members notice that you are having unusual urges or behaviors, talk to your healthcare provider.

  • Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
  • Low white blood cell count
  • Seizures (convulsions)
  • Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Do not become too hot or dehydrated while you receive ABILIFY MAINTENA. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
  • Difficulty swallowing

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ABILIFY MAINTENA affects you. ABILIFY MAINTENA may make you feel drowsy.

Do not drink alcohol while you receive ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Before receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have never taken aripiprazole before

  • have diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA and during your treatment.

  • have or had seizures (convulsions)

  • have or had low or high blood pressure

  • have or had heart problems or a stroke

  • have or had a low white blood cell count

  • have problems that may affect you receiving an injection in your arm or buttocks

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ABILIFY MAINTENA will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or go to http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ABILIFY MAINTENA can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive ABILIFY MAINTENA.

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

ABILIFY MAINTENA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA without talking to your healthcare provider first.

The most common side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA include: weight gain, inner sense of restlessness such as feeling like you need to move (akathisia), injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation).

It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be signs of a condition called dystonia.

These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA.

If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.

You are encouraged to report side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole). Please contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1-800-438-9927 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).

INDICATIONS

ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole) is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional for:

  • treatment of schizophrenia in adults
  • maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults

It is not known if ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

 

Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

 

↑