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Overview
Abilify, the brand name for the generic drug aripiprazole, is an antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression. It works by modifying chemical activity in the brain. Abilify also can help treat major depressive disorder when the drug is combined with other medications.
Abilify and High Blood Sugar
Abilify has various connections to diabetes and high blood sugar. First, Abilify can cause high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia. This may create additional problems for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes, and it can also create significant symptoms in non-diabetics. Second, the liquid form of Abilify may contain about a half ounce of sugar per dose, which can aggravate diabetes or pre-diabetes. In addition, a person with schizophrenia is at higher risk of developing diabetes than other people are, but researchers do not yet understand the link. People with any blood sugar issues should inform their physician before beginning treatment with Abilify, and if choosing to take the drug, they should check their blood sugar levels regularly.
High Blood Sugar Symptoms
People taking Abilify who begin having any signs of high blood glucose levels should tell their doctor. These symptoms include increased thirst, unusual hunger, frequent urination or blurred vision. Untreated hyperglycemia can cause ketoacidosis, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. Ketoacidosis symptoms include breath with a fruity odor, dry mouth, mental stupor, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.
Warning
The official website for Abilify carries a caution for people with diabetes or with risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity or family history of diabetes. The caution calls attention to serious cases of hyperglycemia at a level associated with coma or death reported in people taking Abilify. Diabetics, those with risk factors or anyone experiencing unexplained increases in thirst, urination or hunger should monitor their blood sugar levels.
Serious Side Effects
In addition to high blood sugar symptoms, Abilify can cause other serious side effects. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening condition with symptoms of confusion, high fever, rapid or uneven heartbeat, stiff muscles, and sweating. Abilify also can cause tardive dyskinesia, or jerky muscle movements the person cannot control. Other serious side effects include vision problems, balance problems, seizure and jaundice.
Other Side Effects
Less serious side effects are also associated with Abilify. These include difficulty swallowing, dizziness, weakness, headache, skin rash, inappropriate sleepiness, constipation and stomach upset. Abilify can also cause anxiety, insomnia and restlessness.
