Female ABILIFY ASIMTUFII user taking selfie with female friend at a night club.

Common questions about
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII®
(aripiprazole)

If you’re considering ABILIFY ASIMTUFII® (aripiprazole), you probably have questions. The information on this page may help answer some of them.

Click the topic you would like to learn more about.

About ABILIFY ASIMTUFII

What is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is an injection given by a healthcare provider. It is the only once every-2-months* maintenance treatment for bipolar I disorder in adults. It is not known if ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

*Work with your healthcare provider to make sure you can tolerate aripiprazole prior to starting treatment.

Is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII FDA approved?
Yes, ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is the first and only FDA-approved once every-2-months maintenance treatment for bipolar I disorder in adults.

Before starting ABILIFY ASIMTUFII

What if I am taking the pill form of aripiprazole?
Tell your healthcare provider so they know how your body tolerates the medicine before starting you on ABILIFY ASIMTUFII.

After your first injection, continue to take oral aripiprazole for 2 weeks. Then ABILIFY ASIMTUFII will be given once every 2 months.

What if I am currently receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)?
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII can be given in place of the next scheduled injection of ABILIFY MAINTENA and should be given once every 2 months. Your doctor will let you know when that time comes.

If you haven’t previously taken the pill form of aripiprazole, talk to your healthcare provider.

What if I am taking medication for other conditions I have?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and other medicines may affect each other, causing possible serious side effects. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how ABILIFY ASIMTUFII works.

Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII without talking to your healthcare provider first.

Receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII

Can I inject ABILIFY ASIMTUFII myself?
No. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is given by a healthcare professional only. Your healthcare provider may be able to give you your injection in their office, or you can find a Local Care Center (LCC) in your area.

Where is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII injected into the body?
You will receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII in your buttock. About 1 in 5 people using ABILIFY ASIMTUFII reported feeling injection site pain versus about 1 in 10 people using ABILIFY MAINTENA. Most people who reported feeling injection site pain reported that the pain lessened with each injection.

What are the most common side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
The most common side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII include: weight gain, inner sense of restlessness such as feeling like you need to move, injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation). These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII.

What should I do if I am having any side effects?
You should call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where can I receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
You can receive your injection at a Local Care Center (LCC). LCCs are places where you can get your prescribed injection instead of your healthcare provider’s office. These can be retail pharmacies, urgent care clinics, dialysis centers, or infusion centers where a healthcare provider can give you your ABILIFY ASIMTUFII.

About Financial Assistance Options

Is there financial assistance available for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford your ABILIFY ASIMTUFII injections, the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation (OPAF) might be able to help you get your ABILIFY ASIMTUFII medicine for free.*

*Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. does not control or influence how the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation distributes funds.

Am I eligible for financial assistance? 
You can find out if you are eligible for financial assistance, whether you have insurance or not. Call the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation at 1-855-727-6274 to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

THE ABILIFY ASIMTUFII SAVINGS CARD

The ABILIFY ASIMTUFII Savings Card

How much will I pay with the Savings Card?
Eligible patients may pay as little as $5 per fill with an annual maximum benefit of $8,000 and a monthly maximum benefit of wholesale acquisition cost plus usual and customary pharmacy charges. Presumes only 1 prescription filled per two calendar months.*

*Conditions apply. Find out more about the Savings Card.

How long can I use my Savings Card?
There is currently no expiration date for using this card. Please keep in mind that Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. has the right to change or end this program at any time without notice.

What happens if I switch pharmacies or healthcare providers?
If you change your pharmacy where you get your injection, you'll need to present your Savings Card again with a valid prescription. If you change your healthcare provider, you'll need to present them with your Savings Card so they can call in your prescription with the Savings Card. If you no longer have a card, please visit the website to redownload.

Am I eligible for the Savings Card?
In order to be eligible, you must have commercial health insurance and be 18 years or older. The Savings Card is not valid for prescriptions reimbursed in whole or in part under any federal or state health programs, including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, DOD, and the VA. Other conditions apply.

About ABILIFY ASIMTUFII

What is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is an injection given by a healthcare provider. It is the only once every-2-months* maintenance treatment for bipolar I disorder in adults. It is not known if ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

*Work with your healthcare provider to make sure you can tolerate aripiprazole prior to starting treatment.

Is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII FDA approved?
Yes, ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is the first and only FDA-approved once every-2-months maintenance treatment for bipolar I disorder in adults.

Before starting ABILIFY ASIMTUFII

What if I am taking the pill form of aripiprazole?
Tell your healthcare provider so they know how your body tolerates the medicine before starting you on ABILIFY ASIMTUFII.

After your first injection, continue to take oral aripiprazole for 2 weeks. Then ABILIFY ASIMTUFII will be given once every 2 months.

What if I am currently receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)?
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII can be given in place of the next scheduled injection of ABILIFY MAINTENA and should be given once every 2 months. Your doctor will let you know when that time comes.

If you haven’t previously taken the pill form of aripiprazole, talk to your healthcare provider.

What if I am taking medication for other conditions I have?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and other medicines may affect each other, causing possible serious side effects. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how ABILIFY ASIMTUFII works.

Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII without talking to your healthcare provider first.

Receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII

Can I inject ABILIFY ASIMTUFII myself?
No. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is given by a healthcare professional only. Your healthcare provider may be able to give you your injection in their office, or you can find a Local Care Center (LCC) in your area.

Where is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII injected into the body?
You will receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII in your buttock. About 1 in 5 people using ABILIFY ASIMTUFII reported feeling injection site pain versus about 1 in 10 people using ABILIFY MAINTENA. Most people who reported feeling injection site pain reported that the pain lessened with each injection.

What are the most common side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
The most common side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII include: weight gain, inner sense of restlessness such as feeling like you need to move, injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation). These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII.

What should I do if I am having any side effects?
You should call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where can I receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
You can receive your injection at a Local Care Center (LCC). LCCs are places where you can get your prescribed injection instead of your healthcare provider’s office. These can be retail pharmacies, urgent care clinics, dialysis centers, or infusion centers where a healthcare provider can give you your ABILIFY ASIMTUFII.

About Financial Assistance Options

Is there financial assistance available for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII?
If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford your ABILIFY ASIMTUFII injections, the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation (OPAF) might be able to help you get your ABILIFY ASIMTUFII medicine for free.*

*Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. does not control or influence how the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation distributes funds.

Am I eligible for financial assistance? 
You can find out if you are eligible for financial assistance, whether you have insurance or not. Call the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation at 1-855-727-6274 to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

THE ABILIFY ASIMTUFII SAVINGS CARD

The ABILIFY ASIMTUFII Savings Card

How much will I pay with the Savings Card?
Eligible patients may pay as little as $5 per fill with an annual maximum benefit of $8,000 and a monthly maximum benefit of wholesale acquisition cost plus usual and customary pharmacy charges. Presumes only 1 prescription filled per two calendar months.*

*Conditions apply. Find out more about the Savings Card.

How long can I use my Savings Card?
There is currently no expiration date for using this card. Please keep in mind that Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. has the right to change or end this program at any time without notice.

What happens if I switch pharmacies or healthcare providers?
If you change your pharmacy where you get your injection, you'll need to present your Savings Card again with a valid prescription. If you change your healthcare provider, you'll need to present them with your Savings Card so they can call in your prescription with the Savings Card. If you no longer have a card, please visit the website to redownload.

Am I eligible for the Savings Card?
In order to be eligible, you must have commercial health insurance and be 18 years or older. The Savings Card is not valid for prescriptions reimbursed in whole or in part under any federal or state health programs, including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, DOD, and the VA. Other conditions apply.

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INDICATIONS and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII® (aripiprazole) and ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)

INDICATIONS:

ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional:

  • for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults
  • alone as maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults

ABILIFY MAINTENA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional:

  • for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults
  • alone as maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults

It is not known if ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

Increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA increase the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA are not for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis.

Do not receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.

ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in clinical studies with oral aripiprazole of elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and can lead to death.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS: high fever, confusion, changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure, stiff muscles, and increased sweating.
  • Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.

  • Problems with your metabolism such as:

    • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetes: Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who are treated with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA, and during treatment.

    Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA:

 

  • feel very thirsty
  • need to urinate more than usual
  • feel very hungry
  • feel weak or tired
  • feel sick to your stomach
  • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity

 

  • Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood.
  • Weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly during treatment.

 

  • Unusual and uncontrollable (compulsive) urges. Some people receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA have had unusual strong urges, to gamble and gambling that cannot be controlled (compulsive gambling). Other compulsive urges include sexual urges, shopping, and eating or binge eating. If you or your family members notice that you are having unusual urges or behaviors, talk to your healthcare provider.
  • Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
  • Falls. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause fractures or other injuries
  • Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment.
  • Seizures (convulsions)
  • Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA affects you. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA may make you feel drowsy and affect your judgement, thinking, or motor skills.
  • Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Do not become too hot or dehydrated during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
  • Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into your lungs.

Do not drink alcohol during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Before receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have never taken aripiprazole before
  • have or had diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA and during your treatment.
  • have or had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, or low levels of HDL cholesterol
  • have or had low or high blood pressure
  • have or had heart problems or a stroke
  • have or had a low white blood cell count
  • have or had seizures (convulsions)
  • have problems that may affect you receiving an injection in your buttocks (ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA) or arm (ABILIFY MAINTENA)
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA, talk to your healthcare provider about the risk to your unborn baby and about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicine and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA without talking to your healthcare provider first.

The most common side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA include: weight gain, restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia), injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation).

It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be signs of a condition called dystonia.

These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.

If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.

You are encouraged to report side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Please contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1-800-438-9927 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).

Please see FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA.

Please see FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA, and MEDICATION GUIDE for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA.