Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take aripiprazole for longer than 6 weeks unless your doctor has told you to. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Aripiprazole can be taken with or without food and is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using aripiprazole and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats; jerky muscle movements you cannot control; sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance; increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness; feeling light-headed, fainting; or urinating less than usual or not at all. Continue taking aripiprazole and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects: dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness; constipation; nausea, vomiting, upset stomach; headache, anxiety; sleep problems (insomnia); or weight gain. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Aripiprazole can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of aripiprazole. Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by aripiprazole. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking aripiprazole.