Is aripiprazole an antidepressant?

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome and irritability associated with autism. It may be used in combination with an antidepressant to treat depression.

What is the mechanism of action of aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole functions as a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 and the serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, and as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. The mechanism of action of aripiprazole, as with other drugs having efficacy in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is unknown.

What is the drug aripiprazole used for?

Aripiprazole is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette’s syndrome, and irritability associated with autistic disorder). It may also be used in combination with other medication to treat depression. Aripiprazole is known as an antipsychotic drug (atypical type).

What kind of drug is aripiprazole antagonist?

Aripiprazole is a partial agonist at D2 receptors. It may act as an antipsychotic by: Lowering dopaminergic neurotransmission in the mesolimbic pathway. Enhancing dopaminergic activity in the mesocortical pathway.

What is another name for aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole is available under the following different brand names: Abilify, Abilify Maintena, and Aristada.

What is the most common side effect of aripiprazole in adults?

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat mood and behavior disorders in adults and children. The most common Abilify side effects are nausea and vomiting, constipation, and headache. Serious side effects include movement problems, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and NMS.

Is aripiprazole a sedative?

Aripiprazole has low sedative properties due to its modest antagonism at H1 receptors. For this reason, during an initial phase of treatment it might be useful in association with a benzodiazepine, which can be withdrawn when the acute episode is over (see section: Managing a partial response).

Is aripiprazole a mood stabilizer?

It may also be used in combination with antidepressants to treat depression. Aripiprazole can Page 2 decrease hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms such as disorganized thinking. It can stabilize mood, improve depression, and decrease the tics of Tourette’s disorder.

Is aripiprazole a dopamine blocker?

A dopamine partial agonist such as aripiprazole reduces the effect of excess dopamine by taking up space on the dopamine receptors. Because the receptors are only partially activated, dopamine activity is minimized.

How does aripiprazole work in the brain?

Aripiprazole is a medication that works in the brain to treat schizophrenia. It is also known as a second generation antipsychotic (SGA) or atypical antipsychotic. Aripiprazole rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.

What is the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs?

Mechanism of Action

The first-generation antipsychotics work by inhibiting dopaminergic neurotransmission; their effectiveness is best when they block about 72% of the D2 dopamine receptors in the brain. They also have noradrenergic, cholinergic, and histaminergic blocking action.

What does aripiprazole do to dopamine?

A dopamine partial agonist such as aripiprazole reduces the effect of excess dopamine by taking up space on the dopamine receptors. Because the receptors are only partially activated, dopamine activity is minimized.

Where does aripiprazole work in the brain?

Aripiprazole works by acting on various receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors and serotonin (5HT) receptors. Dopamine and serotonin are natural compounds called neurotransmitters, and are involved in transmitting messages between brain cells.