Aripiprazole belongs to the group of atypical neuroleptics. The drug is used to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia and the associated hallucinations or delusions, as well as bipolar disorders.
What is aripiprazole?
Aripiprazole is a relatively easily tolerated drug that can inhibit the effects of dopamine and serotonin in the central nervous system. As a result, these two neurotransmitters cannot exert any negative effects on the patient's psyche and the symptoms (but not the causes) of the disease are suppressed.
Aripiprazole is often given with other antipsychotics. The sedating effect of aripiprazole is also suitable for effectively treating sleep disorders associated with the diseases mentioned. It is taken orally and usually only takes place once a day due to the long retention time in the body.
Pharmacological effect
Since aripiprazole is an atypical neuroleptic, there can be no question of a direct effect on organs or the body itself. Instead, the drug is part of what is known as the 2nd generation of neuroleptics, which inhibit the dopamine and serotonin receptors in the patient's central nervous system. Chemically speaking, an imbalance between these two neurotransmitters leads to the development of the psychoses mentioned at the beginning.
By administering aripiprazole in the correct dose, the drug acts as an antagonist of the two neurotransmitters and thus prevents the influence of dopamine and serotonin on the patient's psyche. Aripiprazole does not fight the actual causes of the mental disorders, instead it is a medicinal substance that only prevents the symptoms from developing.
In general, it is a drug that is rich in side effects. However, these rarely actually occur, which is why aripiprazole is considered to be an easily tolerated drug for organs and body. The effects on the extrapyramidal motor system are only minor, which is why problems with the muscles are rare compared to other neuroleptics.
Medical application & use
Aripiprazole is primarily used to treat various psychoses and a bipolar disorder. The use of aripiprazole has proven itself particularly in the treatment of schizophrenia: Among other things, the aforementioned psychoses and persistent delusions, mild to severe hallucinations and pronounced personality disorders are treated there.
Furthermore, the active ingredient aripiprazole in connection with other neuroleptics usually achieves visible results in the treatment of bipolar disorder. In addition to the pure treatment of the symptoms and causes of the diseases mentioned, aripiprazole also has a sedating effect, which is useful for the patient in the case of side effects of the diseases (sleep disorders, restlessness). Aripiprazole should not be used for the treatment of the diseases mentioned if heart or circulatory diseases are indicated in the patient.
Administration of aripiprazole should also be avoided in known, regular seizures. Elderly patients suffering from dementia should be excluded from treatment with aripiprazole or comparable neuroleptics, as the drug itself can intensify the negative effects of dementia. Furthermore, treatment with aripiprazole must not be carried out if drugs are already being taken that contain inhibitors of the enzymes from the cytochrome system. Aripiprazole has no other known use cases in modern medicine.
Risks & side effects
Common side effects caused by aripiprazole and other atypical neuroleptics include persistent restlessness and a feeling of nausea, which is usually followed by vomiting. Furthermore, taking aripiprazole can cause constipation. The drug can cause sleep disorders, a persistent feeling of dizziness accompanied by a mild headache, and pronounced irregular heartbeat. In the latter case, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. Some patients also report significantly increased saliva formation temporarily.In very rare cases, the drug can also lead to the formation of EPS. The so-called extrapyramidal syndrome leads to unwanted muscle movements, which is why the first use of aripiprazole is not recommended if heavy machinery such as motor vehicles are operated afterwards. All side effects listed affect people of all ages and genders.
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