Abilify

Aripiprazole, sold under the brand name Abilify among others, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used mainly to treat schizophrenia, mania associated with bipolar disorder, and irritability linked to autism spectrum disorder. It was discovered by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 1988 and received its first regulatory approval, for schizophrenia, from the United States Food and Drug Administration in November 2002. Chemically it has the formula C23H27Cl2N3O2. Unlike most older antipsychotics, aripiprazole works as a functionally selective partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors, meaning it can either raise or lower dopamine signaling depending on whether local dopamine levels are already low or high, an action described as dopamine system stabilization. It also acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D3 and D4 receptors and at serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors, a broader receptor profile than typical antipsychotics built on pure dopamine blockade. Aripiprazole is given by mouth as tablets, orally disintegrating tablets or a solution, and can also be given as an intramuscular injection, including long-acting depot formulations developed after its initial approval.