ABILIFY MAINTENA

Aripiprazole 400mg, Powder for suspension for injection, Extended Release

Alcohol

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: Limit alcohol-containing drinks while taking this medicine. Using this drug along with alcohol can lead to serious side effects. You may feel drowsy or more tired when taking these drugs together. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you, and especially if you are drinking alcohol-containing beverages. If you notice slurred speech, confusion, severe weakness, or difficulty breathing, contact your health care provider immediately.

· Notes for Professionals: Alcohol may potentiate the CNS effects of the atypical antipsychotics, which have the potential to cause increased sedation or to impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Patients should be appropriately cautioned; some manufacturers recommend alcohol avoidance during treatment.

Aripiprazole 400mg, Powder for suspension for injection, Extended Release

Marijuana

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Avoid this combination. It may cause your condition to get worse. Marijuana may also decrease the efficacy of this medicine, making it not work as well for you. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this combination will affect you. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice unusual changes in moods or behaviors of any type.

· Notes for Professionals: It is recommended that patients avoid the use of marijuana, by any route, if they are treated for a psychiatric history, including psychosis and bipolar disorder, as the cannabinoids (the psychoactive ingredients, such as THC) in marijuana can produce psychotoxic effects and may exacerbate psychiatric disorders. A high frequency of use and use of products with high-potency of THC are potential risk factors for psychiatric effects. Additive CNS effects, such as sedation or CNS depression are also possible. Clinical studies suggest that cannabis use may reduce the efficacy of some antipsychotic drugs. In addition, several cannabinoids in marijuana appear to influence the activity of CYP enzymes and P-glycoprotein, which may alter the concentrations of antipsychotics and influence either safety or efficacy.

Aripiprazole 400mg, Powder for suspension for injection, Extended Release

Grapefruit juice

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: Tell your health care provider if you drink grapefruit juice regularly. An interaction between Aripiprazole and Grapefruit juice is possible, but they may be used together. Grapefruit juice may change the amount of Aripiprazole in the blood. If you drink Grapefruit juice regularly, do not change how often or how much grapefruit juice you drink until you talk to your health care provider. If you experience nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, tremor or other unusual effect, contact your health care provider.

· Notes for Professionals: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit CYP3A4 metabolism in gut enterocytes, and therefore may decrease aripiprazole metabolism, resulting in increased blood concentrations of aripiprazole. Patients should not significantly adjust their intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking aripiprazole. As with drugs that significantly inhibit the CYP3A4 pathway, consideration should be given to altering the aripiprazole dose.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>