Does Abilify make you high?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this brief article, we will discuss if Abilify (Aripiprazole), an atypical antipsychotic medication, can make you feel high or euphoric. We will also discuss key differences between Abilify and drugs that generally make people high. We will also shed some light on Abilify-induced side effects.
Does Abilify make you high?
No, Abilify does not make you high. Abilify is not considered a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
It is an antipsychotic medication prescribed to help manage certain mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression (1). Using Abilify recreationally can be harmful to your mental health and may lead to serious side effects (1).
Abilify is prescribed at specific doses based on individual needs, and taking more than prescribed can increase the risk of adverse effects without providing any benefits.
Always follow your doctor’s instructions and never try to misuse or abuse this medication. If you have concerns about its effects or dosage, discuss them with your healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective use.
How is Abilify different from drugs that get you high?
Abilify works differently from drugs that get you high. It affects certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, to help stabilize mood and reduce symptoms of these disorders (2).
Unlike drugs that get you high, Abilify does not produce feelings of euphoria or pleasure.
Drugs that get you high, such as Opioids, Marijuana, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine, work by directly binding to specific brain receptors and causing a surge of dopamine, leading to intense pleasure (3).
Abilify, on the other hand, is designed to balance neurotransmitters without causing pleasurable sensations (2).
Remember, Abilify is meant for specific medical conditions and should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare professional. Misusing drugs that get you high can be dangerous and harmful to your physical and mental health.
Can Abilify affect your health?
Abilify, although it does not make you feel high, is associated with side effects – ranging from mild and common to serious and rare.
Common side effects of Abilify include: (4)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Restlessness or anxiety
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Increased saliva production
Rare side effects of Abilify may include: (4)
- Seizures
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in blood sugar levels (increased or decreased)
- Difficulty controlling body movements
- Priapism (persistent, painful erection)
- Changes in vision
- Fever with chills
These side effects can vary from person to person. Some people may tolerate Abilify well. However, some people could be allergic to this medication or may experience intolerable side effects. This can lead to discontinuation of treatment with Abilify, which should never be done abruptly.
If you are experiencing side effects from this medication and wish to stop taking it, please reach out to your healthcare provider and discuss your concerns. If Abilify is not a suitable antipsychotic for you, your doctor will safely taper it off and switch you to another medication.
What to do if you have taken a high dose of Abilify to get high?
If you’ve taken a high dose of Abilify to get high, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Taking Abilify in high doses for recreational purposes is dangerous and can have serious consequences for your health (1).
It is essential to be honest with your healthcare provider about what happened so they can properly manage the situation and provide the necessary care.
Your doctor will likely assess your condition and may need to monitor your vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure. They might also order tests to check for any potential complications.
Depending on the severity of the situation, they may provide treatments to help counteract the effects of the high dose and keep you safe.
Using medications, especially those that affect your brain, properly and as prescribed is of utmost importance. Medications like Abilify are meant to treat specific medical conditions and should never be used for recreational purposes.
Remember, your health is valuable, and seeking help from medical professionals is essential if you find yourself in a situation like this.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the dangers associated with taking a high dose of Abilify to get high. We have covered in detail how Abilify is not a controlled substance and should never be taken for that purpose.
We have also discussed the importance of immediate medical attention after taking a high dose of Abilify or any other medication for the purpose of getting high.
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References
1.-
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. ABILIFY (Aripiprazolee). Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021436s038,021713s030,021729s022,021866s023lbl.pdf
2.-
Gettu N, Saadabadi A. Aripiprazole. 2023 May 16. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613519. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547739
3.-
Aro HJ, Hussain A, Bobrin BD. Controlled Substances. 2023 Apr 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119270. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554383
4.-
National Library of Medicine. Aripiprazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603012.html
