Lamictal vs. Abilify

• Are Abilify and Lamictal the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lamictal?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Abilify?
• What is Lamictal?
• What is Abilify?
• What Drugs Interact with Lamictal?
• What Drugs Interact with Abilify?
• How Should Lamictal Be Taken?
• How Should Abilify Be Taken?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Abilify (aripiprazole) are used to treat bipolar disorders.

Lamictal is also used alone or in combination with other anti-seizure medications for treatin certain types of seizures.

Abilify is also used to treat schizophrenia, mania, depression, bipolar disorders, autistic disorder, and some irritable behavior disorders.

Lamictal and Abilify belong to different drug classes. Lamictal is an anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) and Abilify is an antipsychotic.

Lamictal may cause serious side effects, including:

• dizziness,
• shaking (tremors),
• sleepiness,
• tired feeling,
• drowsiness,
• loss of coordination,
• headache,
• double vision,
• blurred vision,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• stomach pain,
• dry mouth,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• back pain,
• sore throat,
• runny nose, or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

Serious side effects of Lamictal you should report to your doctor include:

• rash,
• worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, and
• flu-like symptoms such as body aches or swollen glands.

Side effects of Abilify in adults include<:/p>

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• weakness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach upset
• tiredness
• excess saliva or drooling
• choking or trouble swallowing
• blurred vision
• headache
• anxiety
• weight gain
• drowsiness
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• constipation

Suicidal thoughts are may occur in some patients, especially children, teens, and young adults. Tell your doctor if this occurs. Other serious side effects of Abilify include:

• tardive dyskinesia (involuntary, repetitive movements)
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• shaking (tremors)
• muscle spasms
• fainting
• mental/mood changes (such as increased anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts)
• trouble swallowing
• restlessness (especially in the legs)
• mask-like expression of the face
• seizures
• signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat)

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.

Abilify Oral Tablets, Orally-Disintegrating Tablets, and Oral Solution are indicated for the treatment of:

• Schizophrenia
• Acute Treatment of Manic and Mixed Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder
• Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder ]
• Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder ]
• Treatment of Tourette's Disorder ]

Abilify Injection is indicated for the treatment of:

• Agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania

Lamictal may interact with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, or rifampin.

Lamictal may also interact with hormonal forms of birth control (pills, injections, implants, or skin patches), divalproex, oxcarbazepine, or valproic acid.

Abilify may interact with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or rifampin.

Abilify may also interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), medications to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition, rifabutin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, quinidine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or paroxetine.

• Lamictal doses depend on the condition being treated and on whether it is used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications.

Take Abilify exactly as prescribed.

• Take Abilify exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Do not change the dose or stop taking Abilify yourself.
• Abilify can be taken with or without food.
• Abilify tablets should be swallowed whole.
• If you miss a dose of Abilify, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Abilify at the same time.
• If you have been prescribed Abilify DISCMELT, take it as follows:
  • Do not open the blister until ready to take the DISCMELT tablet.
  • To remove one DISCMELT tablet, open the package and peel back the foil on the blister to expose the tablet.
  • Do not push the tablet through the foil because this could damage the tablet.
  • Immediately upon opening the blister, using dry hands, remove the tablet and place the entire Abilify DISCMELT Orally Disintegrating Tablet on the tongue.
  • Tablet disintegration occurs rapidly in saliva. It is recommended that Abilify DISCMELT be taken without liquid. However, if needed, it can be taken with liquid.
  • Do not attempt to split the DISCMELT tablet.
• If you take too much Abilify, call your healthcare provider or poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.