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Abilify Maintena Side Effects
Nausea, insomnia, and headaches are among the most common side effects reported with Abilify Maintena. Potentially serious reactions are also possible and may include seizures, unexplained infections, or trouble breathing. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any of these more serious problems or if anything does not seem right.
Just like any medicine, Abilify Maintena™ (aripiprazole ER injection) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the medication will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it reasonably well. If reactions do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Abilify Maintena. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Most of the side effect data for Abilify Maintena comes from clinical trials of the oral formulation (regular Abilify®), because it is expected that the two drugs will have similar side effects.
Oral Abilify has been studied extensively in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were documented and then compared to those that occurred in a similar group of people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredient). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the placebo.
In these studies, the most common side effects included:
- Headaches -- in up to 27 percent of people
- Agitation -- up to 19 percent
- Insomnia -- up to 18 percent (see Abilify and Insomnia)
- Anxiety -- up to 17 percent
- Nausea -- up to 15 percent
- Restlessness -- up to 12 percent
- Constipation -- up to 11 percent
- Vomiting – up to 11 percent.
Other common reactions, occurring in 2 percent to 10 percent of people, included:
- Sedation
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Shakiness (tremors)
- Weight gain (see Abilify and Weight Gain)
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth (see Abilify and Dry Mouth)
- Joint pain
- Throat pain
- Blurred vision
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- General pain
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Increased salivation
- Swelling or water retention in the arms, legs, or feet.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD