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Drug Info

Abilify generic availability, cost, and dosage

Aripiprazole, the generic version of Abilify, is dispensed in pharmacies more than Abilify due to its lower cost
By | Oct. 12, 2023

Key takeaways

  • Aripiprazole, the generic version of Abilify, is more commonly dispensed than its brand-name counterpart due to its lower cost.

  • Both Abilify and its generic aripiprazole contain the same active ingredient. They are used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with no significant difference in safety and effectiveness.

  • The FDA requires less extensive testing for generic drugs, which contributes to their lower price compared to brand-name drugs despite having the same therapeutic effects.

  • Concerns and studies suggest differences in effectiveness between brand-name and generic medications, though generics are still widely used and accepted for their cost savings.

In this article:

Abilify is a brand-name medication approved to treat certain mental health conditions, including the treatment for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. It’s also used to treat Tourette’s disorder and irritability related to autistic disorder. Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole. 

Abilify belongs to a class of prescription drugs called atypical antipsychotic medications. A class of medications is a group of drugs that work similarly and are used to treat similar conditions. Abilify works by balancing chemicals in your brain that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior. 

Abilify first received FDA approval in 2002. Although Abilify is well known by its brand name, an Abilify generic is available. The generic name of Abilify is aripiprazole, commonly prescribed for mental health conditions. In fact, in 2020, an estimated 8.3 million people were prescribed aripiprazole in the U.S. 

Continue reading to learn more about Abilify and its generic aripiprazole.

Is there a generic for Abilify?

Yes, there is a generic Abilify available called aripiprazole. Aripiprazole was approved by the FDA in 2015. 

Aripiprazole is widely available at pharmacies across the U.S. and is more commonly dispensed in pharmacies than Abilify. This is because generic medicines are much less expensive than their brand-name counterparts, even though they work just as well.

What are the differences between brand name and generic Abilify?

The FDA requires brand-name medications to undergo extensive testing before being approved. For example, brand-name drugs must undergo several clinical trials that prove they are safe and effective. However, the approval process for generic medications is much more brief. Generic manufacturers don’t have to perform as many studies but must prove that the generic prescription medication is the same as its brand-name counterpart in specific ways. First, manufacturers must prove that the generic drug is as safe and effective as the brand-name drug. Next, they have to show that the generic medication has the same effect on the body – reaching the same levels in the body in the same amount of time. Because generic drugs don’t have to undergo as much testing, they cost significantly less than brand-name medications. 

Appearance

Generic Abilify will look different from brand-name Abilify. Each generic manufacturer makes different versions of aripiprazole so that each version can differ in color, flavor, or shape. Despite their differences in appearance, both Abilify and its generic have the same active ingredient, aripiprazole, and will have the same effects. 

Dosage forms

Brand-name and generic Abilify are prescribed at the same dosage and frequency. They are available in several forms and strengths, including:

  • Abilify Asimtufii injection: 720 mg/2.4 mL, 960 mg/3.2 mL
  • Abilify Maintena injection: 300 mg, 400 mg
  • Abilify tablets: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg
  • Aripiprazole dissolvable tablets: 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg
  • Aripiprazole liquid solution: 1 mg/mL
  • Aripiprazole tablets: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg

The recommended dosage will vary based on the person’s age, the medical condition being treated, and other medications they are taking.

Clinical studies

The FDA conducts a rigorous review to ensure that generic medications work similarly and provide the same risks and benefits as their brand-name equivalents. Generic drugs must be the same as brand-name medications in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, quality, and how it is taken.

However, some studies found that there may be differences between brand and generic drugs. For example, this 2020 study found that people who took generic antidepressants were at higher risk of being hospitalized than those who took their brand-name counterparts. 

Although studies like the one mentioned above exist, they are certainly more the exception than the norm. Generic medications still offer significant cost savings; in the U.S., 9 out of 10 prescriptions are filled for generics. 

The following table summarizes important information about Abilify and its generic aripiprazole. 

Abilify (aripiprazole)
Uses Oral tablet, oral solution, and orally disintegrating tablet:
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar I disorder
  • Irritability related to autistic disorder
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Major depressive disorder when taken with other medication (adjunctive therapy)

Injection:

  • Agitation related to schizophrenia or bipolar mania
Standard dosage
  • Varies based on the condition is being treated and the formulation prescribed
Common side effects Adults:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble sleeping

Children

  • Sleepiness
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Movement problems
  • Fatigue
  • Bigger appetite
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nausea
  • Common cold
  • Weight gain
Contraindications
  • People who’ve had an adverse reaction to aripiprazole
Other considerations
  • Boxed warning: Abilify has a boxed warning due to its increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Although Abilify is approved to treat a type of psychosis called schizophrenia, it’s not approved for dementia-related psychosis. Older adults who take Abilify for dementia-related psychosis may have a higher risk of death. 
  • Boxed warning: Abilify has another boxed warning due to its risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people who take an antidepressant. Antidepressant medications, such as Prozac (fluoxetine) or Cymbalta (duloxetine), can worsen depression and cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This risk is highest in people children, adolescents, and young adults who are 24 years old or younger. Pay close attention to any unusual changes in your mood, thoughts, or behaviors, and report any changes to your healthcare professional immediately. 
  • Abilify can make it harder for your body to cool down. Drink fluids during exercise, strenuous activity, or extreme heat. 
  • Abilify can cause orthostatic hypotension when your blood pressure drops when changing positions. This can cause falls. Change positions slowly and brace yourself when standing up from a seated position.
  • Abilify can cause drowsiness. Don’t drive or do anything that requires your focus and attention until you know how this medication affects you. 
  • Be sure to read the Medication Guide with your prescription for important information about Abilify, including when to seek medical advice or get emergency medical help.

How much is generic Abilify?

There is a significant price difference between brand-name and generic Abilify if you pay out of pocket. For example, the cash price of brand-name Abilify is $920 for 30, 5 mg tablets. But if you choose generic Abilify, you could pay as low as $13 for the same prescription when using a SingleCare coupon. 

You can check the SingleCare website for coupons for your prescription. On the prescription page, click the drop-down menu to select the medication (brand or generic), dosage, and quantity. Then, find a local pharmacy that accepts SingleCare coupons.

Brand vs. generic Abilify prices
Brand-name Abilify Abilify generic (aripiprazole)
Average cost without insurance $920 for 30, 5 mg tablets of Abilify $970 for 30, 5 mg tablets of aripiprazole
SingleCare’s lowest price $590 for 30, 5 mg tablets of Abilify $13 for 30, 5 mg tablets of aripiprazole
Free coupons Abilify coupons Aripiprazole coupons

What are the off-label uses for Abilify?

In some situations, healthcare providers prescribe a medication for a non- FDA-approved purpose. Using an approved drug for an unapproved use is called off-label use. Examples of off-label uses of brand-name and generic Abilify include:

Anxiety

Aripiprazole is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety, but it’s not a first-choice medication for this condition. Instead, clinical guidelines recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). 

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Generic Abilify can also be used off-label for ADHD. But stimulants and non-stimulants are the first-choice medications. 

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Currently, the FDA hasn’t approved any medications for treating BPD. However, antipsychotics, including aripiprazole, may be prescribed off-label for BPD. Studies have shown that antipsychotics can lower BPD symptoms. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Antipsychotic drugs aren’t the first-choice medications for OCD. However, there is some evidence that aripiprazole may benefit some people with OCD. 

How to switch from Abilify to aripiprazole

Logistically, switching from brand to generic Abilify should be relatively easy, as state laws allow pharmacists to dispense the generic version of brand-name medications. So, if a healthcare provider writes a prescription for “Abilify,” unless you or your provider specifically requests the brand, the pharmacy will dispense the generic aripiprazole.

If you want to switch, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. More than likely, they will approve the switch. However, don’t stop taking Abilify on your own. Certain people may need to stop Abilify gradually to avoid serious side effects. It’s best to discuss this change with your doctor. 

Once you switch to generic Abilify, pay close attention to your mood, thoughts, and behavior, and make note of any side effects you experience. This will help you and your healthcare provider determine if the new medication is working and see if there needs to be any adjustments.

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