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aripiprazole (Abilify)
Aripiprazole is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors that stabilizes dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission in the brain.
Aripiprazole is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors that stabilizes dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission in the brain. Used for Schizophrenia, Bipolar I disorder (acute manic and mixed episodes, maintenance), Major depressive disorder (adjunctive treatment).
At a glance
| Generic name | aripiprazole (Abilify) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Drug class | Atypical antipsychotic |
| Target | Dopamine D2 receptor (partial agonist), Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (partial agonist) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Unlike typical antipsychotics that block dopamine receptors, aripiprazole acts as a partial agonist, meaning it can both stimulate and inhibit dopamine signaling depending on baseline dopamine levels. This unique mechanism allows it to reduce excessive dopamine activity in psychotic states while maintaining adequate dopamine function in other brain regions, potentially reducing extrapyramidal side effects. Its additional activity at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors contributes to its efficacy in mood and anxiety symptoms.
Approved indications
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder (acute manic and mixed episodes, maintenance)
- Major depressive disorder (adjunctive treatment)
- Autism spectrum disorder (irritability)
- Tourette's disorder
Common side effects
- Akathisia (restlessness)
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Tremor
- Sedation
Key clinical trials
- Substance Misuse To Psychosis for Stimulants (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Cerebellum-based Imaging Neural Markers for Antipsychotic Response
- An Exploratory Analysis of Immune and Inflammatory Response Associated With Clozapine (PHASE4)
- Pragmatic Trial Comparing Weight Gain in Children With Autism Taking Risperidone Versus Aripiprazole (PHASE4)
- Τhe Combination of Pharmacotherapy With RECOVERYTRSGR and RECOVERYTRSBDGR. (PHASE4)
- C-Cog in Early Course Schizophrenia Study (PHASE4)
- Safety and Tolerability of Open-Label Flexible-dose Brexpiprazole as Maintenance Treatment in Adolescents With Schizophrenia (PHASE3)
- Enhancing Recovery in Early Schizophrenia (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- aripiprazole (Abilify) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- aripiprazole (Abilify) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Massachusetts General Hospital portfolio CI