Abilify: An Overview of Schizophrenia Treatment

Affecting over two million Americans, schizophrenia is a debilitating condition often leading to social awkwardness and rejection. For many schizophrenics, determining the appropriate treatment plan is impossible due to the psychiatric condition impairing the mental processes of the schizophrenia patient through an imbalance of chemicals within the brain. The use of Abilify, in the treatment of schizophrenia, will aid physicians, psychiatrists and patients to improve the schizophrenia symptoms and, thereby, improve daily living activities.

Schizophrenia, a disorder involving a chemical imbalance of the brain, is attributed to symptoms such as delusion, disorganized speech, hallucinations and even catonic syndrome in which the muscles of the body become rigid. By initiating the use of Abilify, in the treatment of schizophrenia, chemicals within the brain are regulated the chemicals of the brain, thereby improving symptoms. Abilify, manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, does not come without side effect which are most commonly reported as headache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, weight gain may be implicated but, as a general rule, Abilify is not associated with weight gain over two pounds per year.

Abilify, in the treatment of schizophrenia, is not indicated for all patients. For patients suffer from pre-existing cardiac conditions, kidney disease, liver disease, breast cancer or diabetes Abilify may not be the first line of therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia symptoms. Specifically, in patients with diabetes, or a family history of diabetes, Abilify may adjust the blood sugar level to such an extent so as to create a hypoglycemia condition. In pregnancy, Abilify is a Category C drug meaning the extent to which the drug creates birth defects is not known. As a result, Abilify is not recommended as a first line of schizophrenia treatment in pregnant women.

Dosing of Abilify is quite easy with schizophrenia treatment provided as a one pill option. Recommended for no more than six consecutive weeks, Abilify can be used any time of the day and should be taken with a full glass of water. The dosing level, in one pill, will vary depending on the individual's health status and extent of schizophrenia symptoms. For individuals unable to swallow pills, Abilify is available as a liquid as well.

Schizophrenia, with the vast array of symptoms, can vary from patient to patient with most symptoms leading to an impaired daily living function. To improve the qualify of life, in the schizophrenia patient, consider the use of Abilify as the psychiatric drug of choice.