What is aripiprazole?

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is available as ABILIFY ® (aripiprazole) Tablets. Aripiprazole is 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril. The empirical formula is C 23 H 27 Cl 2 N 3 O 2 and its molecular weight is 448.38. The chemical structure is: ABILIFY Tablets are available in 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg strengths. Inactive ingredients include cornstarch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. Colorants include ferric oxide (yellow or red) and FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake. Chemical Structure

What kind of drug is aripiprazole?

The FDA classifies aripiprazole as an atypical antipsychotic. Atypical antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, rebalancing these signaling chemicals to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and mood symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take aripiprazole with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run aripiprazole against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is aripiprazole sold under?

We track 7 aripiprazole-containing products in the U.S.: Aripiprazole, Abilify, Abilify Asimtufii, Abilify Maintena Kit, Abilify Mycite Kit, Mezofy and Opipza. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does aripiprazole come in?

Across the brands we track, aripiprazole is currently marketed as solution, tablet, tablet, orally disintegrating, injectable, kit, film and soluble, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic aripiprazole?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic aripiprazole product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has aripiprazole been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions aripiprazole. The most recent: Aripiprazole Tablets USP (May 27, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Aripiprazole: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic sold in the U.S. under 7 brand and generic names, for schizophrenia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Atypical Antipsychotic
Treats: Schizophrenia
Available as: Solution · Tablet · Tablet, orally disintegrating · Injectable · Kit · Film · Soluble
Sold as: 7 products — Aripiprazole, Abilify and Abilify Asimtufii, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $0 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How aripiprazole is dosed

From the FDA label for Abilify (application NDA021713). Other aripiprazole products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Administer once daily without regard to meals ( 2 ) Initial Dose Recommended Dose Maximum Dose Schizophrenia – adults ( 2.1 ) 10 to 15 mg/day 10 to 15 mg/day 30 mg/day Schizophrenia – adolescents ( 2.1 ) 2 mg/day 10 mg/day 30 mg/day Bipolar mania – adults: monotherapy ( 2.2 ) 15 mg/day 15 mg/day 30 mg/day Bipolar mania – adults: adjunct to lithium or valproate ( 2.2 ) 10 to 15 mg/day 15 mg/day 30 mg/day Bipolar mania – pediatric patients: monotherapy or as an adjunct to lithium or valproate ( 2.2 ) 2 mg/day 10 mg/day 30 mg/day Major Depressive Disorder – adults: adjunct to antidepressants ( 2.3 ) 2 to 5 mg/day 5 to 10 mg/day 15 mg/day Irritability associated with autistic disorder – pediatric patients ( 2.4 ) 2 mg/day 5 to 10 mg/day 15 mg/day Tourette's Disorder – ( 2.5 ) Patients <50 kg 2 mg/day 5 mg/day 10 mg/day Patients ≥50 kg 2 mg/day 10 mg/day 20 mg/day Known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers: Half of the usual dose ( 2.6 ) 2.1 Schizophrenia Adults The recommended starting and target dose for ABILIFY is 10 or 15 mg/day administered on a once-a-day schedule without regard to meals. ABILIFY has been systematically evaluated and shown to be effective in a dose range of 10 to 30 mg/day, when administered as the tablet formulation; however, doses higher than 10 or 15 mg/day were not more effective than 10 or 15 mg/day. Dosage increases should generally not be made before 2 weeks, the…

Aripiprazole side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Cerebrovascular Adverse Events, Including Stroke [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Tardive Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Metabolic Changes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Pathological Gambling and Other Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Falls [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Seizures/Convulsions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Body Temperature Regulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Suicide [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Dysphagia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] Commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and at least twice that for placebo) were ( 6.1 ): Adult patients with schizophrenia: akathisia Pediatric patients (13 to 17…

Every aripiprazole product we track (7)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Aripiprazole products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Aripiprazole	62/100	Prescription	Solution	Generic	$0	View →
2	Abilify Boxed warning

What aripiprazole pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Aripiprazole pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
ARI;5	5 mg	blue	rectangle	—
AZ;2	5 mg	yellow	round	—
AN896;2	2 mg	green	rectangle	—
AN897;5	5 mg	blue	rectangle	—
AN898;10	10 mg	pink	rectangle	—
AN899;15	15 mg

Aripiprazole recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is aripiprazole?: Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is available as ABILIFY ® (aripiprazole) Tablets. Aripiprazole is 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril. The empirical formula is C 23 H 27 Cl 2 N 3 O 2 and its molecular weight is 448.38. The chemical structure is: ABILIFY Tablets are available in 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg strengths. Inactive ingredients include cornstarch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. Colorants include ferric oxide (yellow or red) and FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake. Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is aripiprazole?: The FDA classifies aripiprazole as an atypical antipsychotic. Atypical antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, rebalancing these signaling chemicals to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and mood symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take aripiprazole with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run aripiprazole against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is aripiprazole sold under?: We track 7 aripiprazole-containing products in the U.S.: Aripiprazole, Abilify, Abilify Asimtufii, Abilify Maintena Kit, Abilify Mycite Kit, Mezofy and Opipza. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does aripiprazole come in?: Across the brands we track, aripiprazole is currently marketed as solution, tablet, tablet, orally disintegrating, injectable, kit, film and soluble, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.