Aripiprazole

Aripiprazole, which is also sold under the brand names Abilify and Aripiprazol, is an atypical antipsychotic drug and anti-inflammatory drug used for a number of different conditions including:
 * Agitated state
 * Autism
 * Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
 * Borderline Personality Disorder
 * Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
 * Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
 * Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
 * Tourette's syndrome

Theory
One hypothesized theory of aripiprazole’s mode of action is that it may work as a biofilm disruptor and affect the gut-brain axis that way.

Costs and availability
Aripiprazole is not approved for use in ME/CFS, and no clinical trials have been conducted with ME/CFS patients. Aripiprazole is approved by the FDA, by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and UK's Medicines Agency for schizophrenia, manic episodes in bipolar I disorder, and for irritability associated with autistic disorders, and other uses. Aripiprazole is sometimes used as an add-on treatment together with an antidepressant.

Aripiprazole, including the brand name Abilify, is an inexpensive perscription-only drug, available as an oral solution, tablet, disolvable powder, and as a powder for injections.

Patient group statements

 * ME Association statement on Aripiprazole (Abilify) for ME/CFS (2021)
 * Responding to questions about Ability - Action for ME (2021)
 * What is M.E.? | FAQ - Australia and New Zealand ME Association (2021)

Talks, presentations and videos

 * Case Presentation: Treating ME/CFS with Aripiprazole. IACFS/ME Conference 2021 - Hector Bonilla
 * 2021, The Impact of Aripiprazole on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Hector Bonilla

Notable studies

 * 2012, The role of Antipsychotics in the Management of Fibromyalgia - (Abstract)
 * 2018, Low dose of aripiprazole advanced sleep rhythm and reduced nocturnal sleep time in the patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome: an open-labeled clinical observation (Full text)
 * 2019, Aripiprazole repurposed as an inhibitor of biofilm formation and sterol biosynthesis in multidrug-resistant Candida albicans
 * 2021, Off label use of Aripiprazole shows promise as a treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): a retrospective study of 101 patients treated with a low dose of Aripiprazole (Full text)
 * correction


 * 2021, Extremely Severe ME/CFS—A Personal Account (Full text)

Articles and blogs

 * 2021, Abilify shows promise in retrospective Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) study - Cort Johnson, Health Rising

Blogs

 * Oct 2020,Celebrating Whitney's Dafoe and his "Awakening" on his 37th birthday - Health Rising

Learn more

 * Aripiprazole - Drugs.com