Aripiprazole

(ay ri PIP ray zole)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Watch your child closely for signs of low mood (depression) or a want to harm him/herself. These feelings may last until the low mood is fully treated. Ask your child to talk with you if he/she is planning to harm him/herself. Take your child to the nearest ER (emergency room) if he/she wants to harm him/herself. Talk with the doctor.
• Please read the medication guide.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to aripiprazole or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat schizophrenia. It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.
• It is used to treat manic low mood (depression).
• It is used to treat mood problems.
• It is used to treat bold or forceful actions.
• It is used to treat Tourette's syndrome.
• It is used to treat autism.

How does this drug work?

• Aripiprazole helps clear your thinking.
• It works on helping social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and look.

How is this drug given?

• Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• There is a liquid (solution) if your child cannot swallow pills.
• Do not push the tablet out of the foil when opening. Use dry hands to take it from the foil. Place on your child's tongue and let it melt. Water is not needed. Do not let your child swallow it whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush it.Oral-disintegrating tablet:
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids every day unless told to drink less liquid by your child's doctor.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor.
• If your child has a family history of high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's blood sugar checked as you have been told by your child's doctor.
• If your child has heart disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has PKU, talk with your child's doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• If your child has seizures, talk with the doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• Avoid giving your child grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• Be careful in hot weather. Have your child drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Weight gain.
• High blood sugar. This most often goes back to normal when drug is stopped.
• Nervous and excitable.
• Not able to calm down.
• Not able to sit still.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child is planning to harm him/herself. If the wants to harm him/herself gets worse.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has a bad headache.
• If your child has a change in balance.
• If your child is feeling very nervous and excitable.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child has more trips to the bathroom, more thirst, or weight loss.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store tablets at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Protect tablets from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Store liquid (solution) in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 6 months.
• Give oral-disintegrating tablet right after opening. Throw away any part of opened pouch that is not used.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.