Dosage for Abilify (aripiprazole) may vary based on the condition it’s being used to treat. Your doctor may adjust your dosing of Abilify over the course of your treatment.
Abilify is used to treat the following mental health conditions and mood disorders:
- major depressive disorder in adults
- manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and some children, sometimes taken with another drug
- schizophrenia in adults and some children
- irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in some children
- Tourette syndrome in some children
The active ingredient in Abilify is aripiprazole. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Abilify belongs to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.
This article describes the dosages of Abilify as well as its forms, strengths, and how to take it. To learn more about Abilify, including its side effects and uses, read this Abilify overview article.
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Abilify and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following table highlights the basics of Abilify’s dosing. Strengths and doses are listed in milligrams (mg) and milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).
Always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.
| Forms | Strengths | Usual dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Abilify oral tablet | • 2 mg • 5 mg • 10 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 30 mg | • major depressive disorder: 2 to 15 mg once per day • manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder: 15 mg once per day • schizophrenia: 10 to 15 mg once per day |
| Abilify Asimtufii | • 720 mg/2.4 mL • 960 mg/3.2 mL | • bipolar I disorder: 960 mg every 2 months as a single injection • schizophrenia: 960 mg every 2 months as a single injection |
| Abilify Maintena | • 300 mg • 400 mg | • bipolar I disorder: 400 mg monthly as a single injection • schizophrenia: 400 mg monthly as a single injection |
Abilify forms
Abilify comes in three forms:
- an oral tablet that you swallow
- an extended-release (long-acting) liquid suspension that is injected into a muscle (Abilify Asimtufii)
- a powder for mixing with sterile water to form an extended-release liquid suspension that is injected into a muscle (Abilify Maintena)
Abilify Asimtufii suspension (a type of liquid mixture) comes in single-dose prefilled syringes. Abilify Maintena powder is available in single-dose vials and in single-dose, prefilled dual chamber syringes.
Abilify strengths
Abilify oral tablet comes in the following strengths:
- 2 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 15 mg
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
Abilify Asimtufii extended-release injectable suspension comes in two strengths: 720 mg/2.4 mL and 920 mg/mL.
Abilify Maintena powder for extended-release injectable suspension comes in two strengths: 300 mg and 400 mg.
Dosage adjustments
The dosage of Abilify that a doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include:
- the kind and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
- the form of Abilify you’re taking
- your age
- your liver function
- side effects you may experience
Some people have certain liver conditions that cause their body to break down Abilify more slowly. If you have a certain liver condition, your doctor may start by prescribing a lower dose. For more information about Abilify dosage adjustments for liver problems, talk with your doctor.
Some drugs interact with Abilify. If you take one of these drugs, your doctor may adjust your Abilify dosage. Or they may adjust your dosage of the other drug. Examples of these drugs include:
- paroxetine
- clarithromycin
- carbamazepine
- clonazepam
Talk with your doctor about all the medications you take before starting Abilify. And let them know if you plan to start any new medications.
Abilify oral tablet is approved to treat the following conditions:
- major depressive disorder in adults
- manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and some children, sometimes taken with another drug
- schizophrenia in adults and some children
- irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in some children
- Tourette syndrome in some children
Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena are approved to treat bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia in adults only.
The prescribed dosage of Abilify will depend on the form of the drug and the condition it’s being used to treat. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any Abilify side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.
Dosage for depression
Abilify oral tablet
The usual starting dose of Abilify oral tablet for depression is 2 to 5 mg once per day. If your doctor increases your dosage, each week they will usually add up to 5 mg to your daily dose. The drugmaker recommends a dosage range of 2 to 15 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 15 mg once per day.
Dosage for bipolar I disorder
Abilify oral tablet
Abilify oral tablet is approved to treat manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and some children. For this condition, Abilify is usually taken with another drug, either lithium or valproate.
The usual starting dosage for adults with bipolar I disorder is 15 mg once per day. This is also the recommended maintenance dosage. (This is the dosage you’ll continue to take at the completion of your starting dosage.) The maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.
For Abilify oral tablet dosing information for children with bipolar I disorder, see the “Abilify dosage for children” section.
Abilify Asimtufii
Abilify Asimtufii is approved for use in treating bipolar I disorder in adults only.
The recommended dosage is 960 mg administered once every 2 months as a single injection. Doses of Abilify Asimtufii can be reduced to 720 mg in people with adverse reactions.
Abilify Maintena
Abilify Maintena is approved for use in treating bipolar I disorder in adults only.
The recommended starting and maintenance dose is 400 mg administered monthly as a single injection.
For 14 days after the first injection, you’ll usually take 10 to 20 mg of Abilify oral tablet as well. (This is to help keep a steady level of the drug in your body.) If you are taking a different oral antipsychotic drug, you’ll continue taking that drug instead for 14 days after your first Abilify Maintena injection.
If you have side effects with the Abilify 400-mg injection, your doctor may decrease your dosage to 300 mg once per month.
For additional details about Abilify dosing for bipolar I disorder, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for schizophrenia
Abilify oral tablet
Abilify oral tablet is approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and some children. The usual starting dosage for adults is 10 to 15 mg once per day. This is also the recommended dosage range. If your doctor increases your dosage, they may wait 2 weeks to learn how the drug affects you. The maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.
Abilify Asimtufii
Abilify Asimtufii is approved for use in treating schizophrenia in adults only. The recommended dosage is 960 mg every 2 months as a single injection. Doses of Abilify Asimtufii can be reduced to 720 mg in people with adverse reactions.
Abilify Maintena
Abilify Maintena is approved for use in treating bipolar I disorder in adults only.
The recommended starting and maintenance dose is 400 mg administered monthly as a single injection.
The usual dosage is 400 mg once per month. For 14 days after the first injection, you’ll usually take 10 to 20 mg of Abilify oral tablet as well. But you might already be taking a different oral antipsychotic drug. In this case, you’ll continue that drug for 14 days after your first Abilify injection.
If you have side effects with the Abilify 400-mg injection, your doctor may decrease your dosage to 300 mg once per month.
For additional details about Abilify dosing for schizophrenia, talk with your doctor.
Bipolar I disorder
Abilify oral tablet is approved to treat manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in children ages 10 to 17 years. For this condition, Abilify may be used alone or with another drug, either lithium or valproate.
Your child’s starting dosage of Abilify oral tablet will typically be increased in the first week. The dosing schedule may be as follows:
- 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
- 5 mg once per day for the next 2 days
- 10 mg once per day after that
The recommended maintenance dosage is 10 mg once per day. (The maintenance dosage is what your child will continue to take at the completion of the starting dosage.) The maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.
Schizophrenia
Abilify oral tablet is approved to treat schizophrenia in children ages 13 to 17 years.
Your child’s Abilify starting dosage will typically be increased in the first week. The dosing schedule may be as follows:
- 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
- 5 mg once per day for the next 2 days
- 10 mg once per day after that
The recommended maintenance dosage is 10 mg once per day.
The doctor may decide to increase your child’s dosage to more than 10 mg once per day. If so, they will usually increase it by 5 mg at a time. During the first week of treatment, the first two dose increases will be every 2 days. Additional increases, if any, will occur after the child has completed at least 1 week at the previous dose. The recommended maximum dosage is 30 mg once per day.
Irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder
Abilify oral tablet is approved to treat irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children ages 6 to 17 years.
Your child’s Abilify starting dosage will usually be 2 mg once per day. Then the doctor may increase it to a dosage of 5 mg once per day. After that, they may increase it to a dosage of 10 or 15 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 15 mg once per day.
When your child’s doctor increases the dosage, it is best done slowly. The dose increase should not be more than 5 mg. During the first week of treatment, the first two dose increases will likely be every 2 days. Additional increases, if any, may occur after your child has completed at least 1 week at the previous dose.
Tourette syndrome
Abilify is approved to treat Tourette syndrome in children ages 6 to 18 years. Your child’s dose will depend on their body weight. (For reference, 1 kilogram [kg] is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)
Children who weigh less than 50 kg (less than about 110 lb). Your child’s usual starting dosage will be as follows:
- 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
- 5 mg once per day for the next 5 days
- 10 mg once per day after that
The maximum dosage is 10 mg once per day.
Children who weigh 50 kg or more (about 110 lb). Your child’s usual starting dosage will be as follows:
- 2 mg once per day for the first 2 days
- 5 mg once per day for the next 5 days
- 10 mg once per day after that
If your child’s doctor increases the dosage to more than 10 mg once per day, they may do so slowly. The increases will likely not occur more often than once per week and 5 mg at a time. The maximum dosage is 20 mg once per day.
Abilify oral tablet
You swallow Abilify oral tablet once per day. It can be taken with or without food.
Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena
These forms of Abilify are given by injection into a muscle by a healthcare professional.
Injections of Abilify Asimtufii are administered once every 2 months. The drug is injected into the muscle in your buttock.
Injections of Abilify Maintena are given once per month. It is injected into the muscle in your upper arm or in the muscle in your buttock.
Abilify oral tablet
If you miss a dose of Abilify oral tablet, take it when you remember. But if your next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the planned time. Do not take two doses at a time.
If you’re unsure whether to take a missed dose, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Abilify Asimtufii and Abilify Maintena
If you miss your appointment for an injection of Abilify Asimtufii or Abilify Maintena, the action you’ll take depends on your dosage schedule and the time that has passed since your last injection. Call your doctor as soon as you realize you missed your injection appointment for advice.
If you need help remembering to take or receive your doses of Abilify on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone. You can also use an alarm or reminder app to remind you of injection appointments.
Do not take more Abilify than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- fast heartbeat
- convulsions
- heart rhythm changes
- aggression
- tremor
- sleepiness
- vomiting
- atypical lab test results
- blood pressure changes
- slowed breathing
- loss of consciousness
- coma
What to do in case you take too much Abilify
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Abilify. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Abilify’s dosage.
What is considered a high dose of Abilify?
Abilify has maximum dosages for some conditions it’s approved to treat. The highest dose of Abilify that you’ll take daily depends on the condition you’re taking it to treat.
Below are maximum dosages of Abilify for several conditions:
- Major depressive disorder in adults: 15 milligrams (mg) once per day
- Manic episodes and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and children: 30 mg once per day
- Schizophrenia in adults and children: 30 mg once per day
- Irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children: 15 mg once per day
- Tourette syndrome in children: 10 mg or 20 mg once per day depending on body weight
Talk with your doctor if you think your dosage of Abilify may need to be increased. Do not try to increase or change your dosage on your own.
Is there less risk of side effects from Abilify if I take a lower dose, such as 5 mg?
Yes, sometimes a lower dose of Abilify may lessen the risk of side effects.
Some people process the drug more slowly. An example is people who have certain liver conditions. In this case, a lower dose can lessen their risk of side effects.
Your doctor usually will prescribe the lowest starting dosage recommended for your condition. For treating some conditions, they may then increase your dosage slowly.
You and your doctor can discuss the risk of side effects and the benefits of treating your condition.
What is low dose Abilify?
Abilify is sometimes prescribed off-label at different dosages. “Off-label” means a drug is prescribed for a condition it is not officially approved to treat. Expert medical opinion and ongoing research determine the dosages for off-label uses.
When Abilify is taken off-label, it’s usually prescribed at doses lower than what the drugmaker recommends. This is often called low dose Abilify.
Some very early research has used lower doses of Abilify. This research includes:
Low dose Abilify for anxiety
Anxiety often accompanies other mental health conditions that Abilify treats. Some early
But in the treatment of certain conditions, side effects may include anxiety and agitation. These side effects may occur when treating schizophrenia with Abilify.
Each person responds to medications differently. With Abilify, it’s possible that your anxiety might lessen, get worse, or stay the same. Talk with your doctor about your options for managing anxiety.
Is Abilify used long term?
Yes, Abilify is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
