Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Akathisia (restlessness, inner urge to move — 10–25%; can be distressing)
Nausea (particularly early in treatment)
Insomnia or somnolence
Headache
Anxiety or agitation (especially early in treatment)
Constipation
Weight gain (less than olanzapine/quetiapine, but still significant with long-term use)
Blurred vision
Tremor
Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements — cumulative risk with long-term use)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) — rare but potentially fatal (fever, rigidity, altered consciousness)
Impulse control disorders (pathological gambling, hypersexuality, binge eating, compulsive shopping — dose-dependent, underrecognized serious adverse effect)
Orthostatic hypotension (especially initial doses)
Seizures (rare)
Suicidality (increased risk in children/adolescents — black box warning for antidepressant adjunct use)
Agranulocytosis (less common than clozapine, but possible)
Severe hyperglycemia/diabetic ketoacidosis
Hypersensitivity reactions
Aspiration pneumonia (in elderly with dementia)
Like all medications, Aripiprazole can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: