Caring for someone with schizophrenia is an act of love
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Today I started ARISTADA 1064 mg,
an injection for schizophrenia given
once every 2 MONTHs a
aAfter establishing tolerability to oral aripiprazole in patients who have never taken an aripiprazole product and completing starting regimen. Other dosing options include: 441 mg monthly, 662 mg monthly, and 882 mg monthly or every 6 weeks.
Illustration is not an actual patient
ARISTADA is proven to treat symptoms
of schizophrenia.
Medication is continuously released over the dosing period after starting treatment— it may mean one less daily schizophrenia medication.
It's important to know the possible side effects of a treatment— see Important Safety Information on this page and the Medication Guide for more information.
If you and your healthcare provider decide that ARISTADA is right for you, you may need to test for tolerability using oral aripiprazole. After your tolerability to the oral medication has been established, you will receive a starting regimen as determined by your healthcare provider.
It is important you don’t miss a dose of ARISTADA. If you miss a dose for some reason, contact your healthcare provider right away to discuss what you should do next.
These videos are sponsored by Alkermes, Inc.
Individual results may vary.
This reflects the patient experience at the time of filming and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider about symptoms and available treatment options.
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Share your storyYour support is essential. As a caregiver, you need to take care of yourself as well.
Schizophrenia can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Learn more about common symptoms of schizophrenia, ways to care for yourself or your loved one, and how to work with your and your loved one's healthcare teams.
Learn more about schizophreniaRobert, treated with the ARISTADA 2-month dose (1064 mg)
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ARISTADA INITIO is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.
Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.
Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA.
ARISTADA INITIO is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
WOMAN: Dear future self…Living with schizophrenia, it’s been a journey. Remembering to take my medication every day? Well, let’s just say it’s been a challenge. Recently, my doctor told me that, based on my symptoms, I may be able to try a long-acting treatment that’s given just 6 times a year. I’m excited about taking it one step at a time. Today, after discussing treatment options with me, my doctor is starting me on my ARISTADA journey. After she gets me started, I’ll receive one injection every 2 months then I won’t have to think about taking a pill for my schizophrenia every day. I am hopeful for my future.
MALE ANNOUNCER: ARISTADA is a prescription medication used to treat adults with schizophrenia. Once your healthcare provider starts your treatment, ARISTADA provides an option of one long-acting injection given in the muscle every 2 months by your healthcare provider. ARISTADA may reduce your schizophrenia symptoms without requiring you to take a pill every day. ARISTADA is not approved for patients with dementia-related psychosis. Do not take ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. ARISTADA can cause serious side effects. Elderly dementia patients have an increased risk of stroke or death. Call your healthcare provider right away about fever, stiff muscles, or confusion as these may be signs of life-threatening reactions. High cholesterol or weight gain may occur, as can high blood sugar levels which may be fatal. Other serious side effects include uncontrolled body movements which may be permanent, compulsive behavior, dizziness upon standing, falls, low white blood cell count, difficulty swallowing, and seizures may occur.
WOMAN: Today, my doctor and I chose a long-acting treatment that’s one injection every 2 months. Let’s do this.
MALE ANNOUNCER: Ask your healthcare provider if ARISTADA may be right for you.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.
Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.
Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA.
SCOTT: My son was going to graduate school out in California, and luckily, I had an opportunity to go visit with him for about a month. I was walking down the street, and all of a sudden I see this guy riding a bike, and he had 250 pounds worth of stuff on his bike. And he’s going down there, it looks like he’s got no brakes, and he’s got a huge smile on his face, and I just step back and say, “I’m cranky ‘cause my coffee’s cold, and this guy who seemingly, from my perspective, doesn’t have a lot is the happiest guy in town, apparently.”
ROBERT: Sounds like a good morning to me. When I met Scott, I had been living on the street for years. In my 20s, I worked as a carpenter. I had a hard time staying in one place. At one point I even abandoned my car. I wasn’t making good decisions. I felt like things were getting worse and worse for me, mentally.
SCOTT: So, after the first time I saw Robert ride by on that bicycle, I had a real need to meet him. Took me a couple of days, but finally I saw Robert sitting at the coffee house, and I decided to go up to him and offer to buy him a croissant and a cup of coffee.
ROBERT: Yeah, I didn’t really know I was suffering from mental illness. To me, everything seemed like a result of being homeless. It was hard to communicate with people. People don’t want to connect with you when you’re homeless. It’s like you’re invisible to them. Survival was something I had to think of often. It was hard to know the line between real danger and imaginary danger. I’ve gotten into fights and I’ve been attacked. I slept by myself in a parking garage. I was hearing voices and I didn’t even know anybody was there. Even though when I knew something wasn’t right in my head, I still had to deal with the homelessness. Survival overshadowed everything. I didn’t know where to go to for help. I just wanted to find peace for myself.
SCOTT: You know, the more Robert and I talked, the more I realized what a positive person he was. Because of my family’s history with mental illness, I knew he was dealing with something serious. I went back to New England and Robert and I exchanged email. So, the next time I went back to California, fortunately, I was able to hook up with Robert for a few days. On the first day when I went back to California, I spent the night on a concrete floor in a parking garage with Robert. The second night he stayed at a hotel with me, and the third day we checked into a mental health center. I knew this was a decision that Robert had to make for himself, and I was there to support him.
ROBERT: At the mental health center, I met the psychiatrist. He evaluated me and talked to me about the symptoms I was having. After we talked, the doctor diagnosed me with schizophrenia. After discussing treatment options, the doctor recommended ARISTADA. He explained that it was given by injection and I have an option to get it every 2 months. He talked to me about the risks and the benefits, and I decided I wanted to give it a try.
NARRATOR: ARISTADA INITIO® (aripiprazole lauroxil) and ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil) may not be right for everyone.
ARISTADA INITIO is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Before you start treatment with ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever taken Abilify®, Abilify Maintena®, or any aripiprazole product before. People who are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA should not receive ARISTADA. People must first tolerate oral aripiprazole before receiving ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA.
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA.
You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have. When starting ARISTADA, you may receive a one-time injection called ARISTADA INITIO along with 30 mg of oral aripiprazole. In some cases, your doctor will have you start with 21 days of oral aripiprazole if ARISTADA INITIO is not right for you.
Please watch the additional Important Safety Information contained in this video.
ROBERT: Since starting ARISTADA, I’ve noticed my symptoms being reduced. This is just my experience with ARISTADA. Yours may be different. Talk to your healthcare team about what may be best for you.
SCOTT: After taking Robert to the mental health center and getting him treatment, I went back home. I talked to Robert almost every day and during one conversation he mentioned he might want to move to New England.
ROBERT: I went from having a hard time of making decisions to making the biggest decision of my life. Now, I wanted to live in a different place. Everything that I’d been carrying around on my bike, I put it in storage. I got on the plane with one bag, and I left everything behind in California.
SCOTT: I was able to find a small cabin in the woods, and I bought it for him. It was the first time in many years that Robert had a place of his own.
ROBERT: When I woke up in my bed in the morning, I knew I was home. I got started fixing up my cabin.
SCOTT: When we work on the cabin together, Robert’s the expert, and he teaches me all sorts of things about construction I didn’t know.
ROBERT: After moving to New England, I continued to receive my ARISTADA injection once a month. Now I receive one injection every 2 months.
SCOTT: He’s working with his treatment team to stay on his treatment plan. I’ve never met anyone so grateful to be alive.
ROBERT: Without Scott, I wouldn’t be where I am. I have my own home, I’m able to do carpentry, and I have my own support system. I don’t know what my future holds, but I know I’ll always be able to ask for help.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.
Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.
Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA at www.ARISTADA.com.
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ARISTADA INITIO® (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil) treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.