Is Aripiprazole the Drug For You for Your Psychotic Condition?

Mental health is the new mantra of the new year! It started only a decade ago, and people have come out and spoken openly about mental health. It is important to be healthy mentally. Today’s stressful, sedentary lifestyle has caused havoc in the mental peace of many. Self-care is the only way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, more so for people having psychotic disorders. Psychotic disorders are difficult, especially Schizophrenia, where the patient loses touch with reality. The patients often live in a world of their own, which is a combination of delusions, some stories in their minds, and hallucinations.

The patients experience thought disorders, delusion, amnesia, and paranoia. There can be sudden mood changes, and it is difficult for both the patient as well as the caregiver. This condition takes a brutal toll on their well-being and daily life in general. They have disordered thinking and behaviour, and living a normal life can be extremely difficult. Schizophrenia interrupts behavioural ability, Cognitive ability, and psychological aspects. Self-care is of utmost importance to these patients. The most crucial aspect is maintaining a routine of medicines and therapy. That can help the patients lead better lives. People with Schizophrenia require lifelong treatment. Aripiprazole is a medicine that can provide relief to these patients.

What is Aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic drug. Its work mechanism is, to change the action of certain chemical messengers in the brain. These messengers tend to affect the thoughts the patient may have. Aripiprazole alters this. Other than Schizophrenia prescribed in adults and teenagers 13 years of age and older. Aripiprazole is also prescribed for Maniac Disorder and Bipolar Disorder in adults, teenagers, and children above ten years. It is also beneficial as an antidepressant, and for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (for children aged 6-17 years)

How is Aripiprazole taken?

Aripiprazole is available as a solution (liquid), a tablet or a disintegrating tablet (one that dissolves quickly in the mouth). It is an oral medicine, to be taken by mouth. You need to practice some precautions before starting with the dose. First and foremost, discuss your medical history with your doctor, including the medicines you may be on. Let the doctor know if you are already on any anti-depressants or taking medicines for other ailments. Inform about any allergies you may have. Tell your doctor if you have any cardiac problems, if you have had surgery or if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Also mention if you consume alcohol.

Dosage:

The doctor decides the dose for each patient. The dose varies according to the medical need, age, and response of the patient.

For oral dosage form (tablets and orally disintegrating tablets)

For bipolar mania:

· In Adults, the initial dose is 15 milligrams (mg) once a day. When given together with lithium or valproate, the initial dose is 10 to 15 mg once a day. The maximum dose is not more than 30 mg per day.

· In children of age 10 years and older, the initial dose is 2 mg once a day. The dose is slowly increased to 10 mg once a day. However, the maximum dose is not more than 30 mg per day.

· In children younger than 10 years of age, the doctor decides the dose.

For depression:

· In adults, the initial dose is 2 to 5 milligrams (mg) once a day. The maximum dose is usually not more than 15 mg per day.

· In children, the doctor takes a call and decides the dose.

For irritability in children with autistic disorder:

· In children aged 6 to 17 years, the initial dose is 2 milligrams (mg) once a day. The maximum dose is not more than 15 mg per day.

· In children aged 6 years or younger, the doctor determines the dose as per the need.

For schizophrenia:

· In adults, the initial dose is 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) once a day. It is never more than 30 mg per day.

· In children aged 13 to 17 years, the initial dose is 2 milligrams (mg) once a day. The dose can be slowly increased to 10 mg once a day. The maximum is not more than 30 mg per day.

· In children below 13 years of age, the doctor decides the dosage.

For Tourette’s disorder:

· In children aged 6 to 18 years, the initial dose is 2 milligrams (mg) once a day. However, the maximum dose is usually not more than 20 mg per day.

· In children younger than 6 years of age, the doctor decides the dosage.

How is Aripiprazole available?

Aripiprazole is available as:

· An oral solution (1 mg/mL)

· An oral tablet (2, 5, 10,15, 20, and 30 milligrams)

· An orally disintegrating tablet, (10 and15 milligrams)

It is sold by pharmaceutical companies under the following brand names:

· Arip MT (Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

· Arpizol (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd)

· Asprito (Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

· Arzu (Lupin Ltd)

· Arifine (Icon Life Sciences)

· Ariphrenz (Alkem Laboratories Ltd)

· Aripiren (La Renon Healthcare Pvt Ltd)

· Ariday (Linux Laboratories)

· Nulet (Alteus Biogenics Pvt Ltd)

· Arpit (Crescent Therapeutics Ltd)

Side Effects of Aripiprazole

All drugs, along with the benefits, exhibit some side effects. Discuss the risks associated with Aripiprazole with your doctor. If you experience any unpleasant side effects, inform your doctor. Your doctor knows the best, weighs the benefits, and can adjust the doses accordingly.

Some Common Side Effects

· Headache

· Nervousness

· Restlessness

· Dizziness

· Heartburn

· Constipation

· Diarrhoea

· Stomach pain

· Weight gain

· Changes in appetite

· Increased salivation

· Arm, leg, or joint pain

· Tiredness

You may have seen that certain drugs suit certain individuals, while the same drug may not suit others. The side effects are also experienced differently by different individuals. A modification of the dose or consumption of the medicine for a prolonged period or longer than advised by the doctor can result in some severe side effects.

Some severe Side Effects of Aripiprazole

· Rash

· Hives

· Itching

· Swelling up of some body parts

· Difficulty breathing

· Seizures

· Vision changes

· An experience of uncontrollable shaking of body parts

· Fever

· Stiff muscles

· Sweating

· Confusion

· Fast or irregular heartbeat

· Coordination problems

· A feeling of tightness of the neck muscles or the throat

Severe side effects need immediate medical attention. Call your doctor if you feel any unwanted side effects or experience the above-mentioned symptoms.

Is Aripiprazole safe for you? Is it the drug for you?

Your doctor is the best person to answer this question. Doctors decide the drugs and the dosage as per the efficacy, adverse effects, toxicity, and the patient’s response. It is primarily a trial method where a few permutations and combinations can help determine the correct dose and drug. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if there was a way to help the doctors decide the best treatment and that too fast? Today, medical science has come a long way and the MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic testing from Indus Health Plus is your best friend to get personalized medicines and treatment. Genes are instrumental in deciding several factors for you, including your response to medicines. It is because of your genes, that certain medicines bring great results, while some medicines have no response.

Experience excellence with the MEDNAwise test, which scans your genes and determines your body response to 70+ drugs including psychotic medicines like Aripiprazole depending on your genetic profile. MEDNAwise is a simple and affordable test. It is easy to administer. A quick saliva test, you can take from anywhere, even your house. Detailed results are sent to you. The added benefit is that the counsellors give a free consultation after the test results and suggest further diet plans and health check-up routines.

With the MEDNAwise test, you will be able to get the best line of treatment that will save you time and will also provide better health results. Moreover, the results of this test can be reused in the future whenever you need to visit the doctor. The doctor can refer and prescribe the best treatment plan every time. The clock is ticking! Make your health your number one priority! Call Indus Health Plus today, to book your MEDNAWise pharmacogenetic test!