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from eMedTV.comAs mentioned, Abilify Maintena belongs to a group of medicines known as atypical antipsychotics (also known as second-generation antipsychotics). It is thought to work by blocking the action of dopamine, a neurotransmitter chemical in the brain that is believed to be elevated in people with schizophrenia.
Like other atypical antipsychotics, Abilify Maintena also blocks a type of serotonin receptor, which is believed to help control some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. (Serotonin is another type of chemical in the brain.)
Abilify Maintena is given as an injection into a muscle. After each dose, the medication leaves the body slowly, allowing for once-a-month dosing.
Abilify Maintena has not been adequately studied in children, and is only approved for use in people age 18 and older. Talk with your child's healthcare provider about the particular benefits and risks of using this medicine in children.
Older adults may be more sensitive to certain Abilify Maintena side effects, including movement disorders. Because older adults are more likely to have reduced kidney function, and because lower Abilify Maintena doses are recommended in people with kidney disease, older adults may require a lower-than-usual dose.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend this medication for something other than the condition discussed in this article. This is known as an "off-label" use. Some possible off-label uses for Abilify Maintena include the treatment of schizoaffective disorder or giving the drug to people younger than 18 years of age.
Also, oral Abilify is approved for a few other uses in addition to schizophrenia, and it is possible that Abilify Maintena might also be prescribed off-label for these conditions, including the treatment of:
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression (to be used along with antidepressants when antidepressants are not adequate)
- Irritability associated with autistic disorder.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD