Abilify Mycite Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Abilify Mycite Tablet contains aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic, combined with a tiny ingestible sensor that works with a wearable patch and smartphone app to record when a dose is taken. It is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder. Note that the Abilify Mycite brand has been discontinued in the U.S., though generic aripiprazole versions may still be available.

What is Abilify Mycite Tablet

Abilify Mycite is a prescription tablet containing the medicine aripiprazole, with a tiny sensor built into each tablet. The sensor works with a wearable patch and a smartphone app to record when you have taken your medicine.

Abilify Mycite Tablet uses

• Treating schizophrenia in adults
• Treating bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive illness), including manic and mixed episodes, alone or together with lithium or valproate
• Add-on treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) when used with other antidepressant medicines
• Used in children to treat irritability associated with autistic disorder and Tourette syndrome (for the aripiprazole medicine in general, not Abilify Mycite specifically)

Benefits of Abilify Mycite Tablet

• Helps manage core symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions
• Helps control manic or mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder
• Can improve response when added to antidepressants for major depressive disorder
• The built-in sensor and patch system lets you and your doctor track when doses are actually taken, supporting more informed conversations about treatment

How Abilify Mycite Tablet works

Aripiprazole works in the brain to change how certain chemicals affect you, helping to reduce psychotic or mood symptoms. The tablet also contains a tiny sensor that activates when it touches stomach fluid; this sends a signal to a patch worn on your skin, which then sends the information to a smartphone app so you and your care team can see when a dose was taken.

Abilify Mycite Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor; do not take more, more often, or for longer than prescribed. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide — read and follow the instructions carefully. Swallow the tablets whole; do not break, crush, or chew them. Aripiprazole may be taken with or without food unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Follow the instructions in the MYCITE app for applying and wearing the patch and using the system correctly. The patch should be placed on the left side of your body just above the lower edge of the rib cage, avoiding broken, irritated, or previously used skin; it should be changed weekly or sooner as needed. You can keep the patch on during showering, swimming, or exercising.

The tablet is usually detected within 30 minutes of taking it, but detection by the app or web portal can be delayed by more than two hours, or may not happen at all. If the tablet is not detected after you take it, do not repeat the dose.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and go back to your regular schedule — do not double up. Do not change the dose or stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first. This medicine is not approved for use in children.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Tablet, Disintegrating
• Solution

Side effects of Abilify Mycite Tablet

Common

• Restlessness or feeling the need to keep moving (akathisia)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Shaking (tremor)
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Constipation
• Drowsiness or sedation
• Dry mouth, heartburn, or stomach discomfort
• Weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Rash, runny nose, or sore throat

Serious

• Uncontrolled movements of the face, tongue, neck, or body (tardive dyskinesia)
• High fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, or changes in heart rate/blood pressure (signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Signs of high blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urination, feeling very hungry, feeling weak, tired, or confused
• Signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough, or painful urination (from low white blood cell count)
• Fainting or severe dizziness, especially when standing up
• Unusual urges such as gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, or sexual urges
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: hives, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat, trouble breathing

Warnings and precautions

• Elderly people with psychosis caused by dementia have a higher risk of death when taking this type of medicine. This medicine is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.
• Antidepressant medicines can increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children and young adults, especially early in treatment or after a dose change. This medicine is not approved for use in children.
• This medicine can cause a serious, sometimes fatal condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome, with symptoms like high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, and sweating.
• This medicine may cause uncontrollable body movements called tardive dyskinesia, which may not go away even after stopping the medicine.
• Some people have developed intense, uncontrollable urges such as gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, or sexual urges while taking this medicine.
• This medicine can make it harder for your body to cool down, raising the risk of overheating, especially during exercise, in hot weather, or if you don't drink enough water.
• This medicine can raise blood sugar levels and may cause or worsen diabetes, in rare cases leading to coma or death.
• Antipsychotic medicines, including this one, can cause movement problems or withdrawal symptoms in babies if taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before taking this medicine while pregnant. This medicine can pass into breast milk. 
• There isn't enough information to know how it affects a nursing baby, so you should discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before breastfeeding.
• No routine renal dose adjustment is generally required. Significant liver disease should be reviewed by the prescriber.
• This medicine may add to the effects of alcohol and other drugs that make you drowsy or less alert. Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
• This medicine can cause drowsiness or affect your thinking and movement control, which could make driving or operating machinery unsafe. Don't drive or do risky activities until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store ABILIFY MYCITE tablets at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Store MYCITE Patches between 41°F to 81°F (5°C to 27°C).
• Keep ABILIFY MYCITE tablets and MYCITE Patches (wearable sensor) dry. Do not store ABILIFY MYCITE tablets and Patches (wearable sensor) in places with high humidity.
• Keep ABILIFY MYCITE and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, such as high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, or changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel more depressed, have thoughts of hurting yourself, or notice sudden changes in mood, sleep, energy, or behavior.
• Check with your doctor right away if you notice uncontrolled movements like lip smacking, tongue movements, or jerking of the arms and legs.
• Call your doctor if you notice increased thirst, needing to urinate more than usual, feeling very hungry, weak, tired, confused, or if your breath smells fruity, as these can be signs of high blood sugar.
• Seek emergency help right away if you notice symptoms of overdose such as enlarged pupils, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, increased sensitivity to light, loss of strength, nausea, unusual drowsiness, or vomiting.
• Talk to your doctor right away if you notice new or intense urges such as gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, or unusual sexual urges.

Alternatives

• Aripiprazole tablets
• Abilify tablets
• Risperidone
• Quetiapine