Introduction
Sizopra 15 is an antipsychotic medicine. It is used in the treatment of schizophrenia (a mental disorder that can result in hallucinations or delusions and also adversely affects a person’s ability to think and behave) and mania. It can also be used to treat depression and bipolar disorders.
Sizopra 15 may be taken with or without food, preferably in the morning. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your symptoms. It may be increased gradually. It may take a few weeks before you start to feel better. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as this can worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. It also causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Please consult your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or worsen.
This medicine may increase your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. However, modifying your lifestyle by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly can reduce this side effect. your doctor will monitor your blood sugar and cholesterol levels periodically while you are taking this medication. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts while taking this medicine. Before taking the medicine you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. You should avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase some side effects.
Side effects of Sizopra 15
Common
- Akathisia (inability to stay still)
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased saliva production
- Indigestion
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Nausea
- Parkinsonism
- Restlessness
- Sleepiness
- Tremor
- Vomiting
How to use Sizopra 15
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Sizopra 15 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Sizopra 15 works
Sizopra 15 is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by changing the action of certain chemical messengers in the brain that affect thoughts.
Indication
Adult: PO Schizophrenia Initial: 10-15 mg once daily. Maintenance: 15 mg once daily. Max: 30 mg once daily without regard to food. Dose increment should not be made before 2 weeks, the time needed to achieve steady state.
Bipolar mania 30 mg once daily. May reduce to 15 mg once daily according to tolerability.
Major Depressive Disorder 2-5 mg/day PO initially; increased weekly PRN by <5 mg/day to dose range of 2-15 mg/day
Elderly: Reduce initial dose.
Administration
Drugs that induce CYP3A4 (e.g. carbamazepine) could cause an increase in aripiprazole clearance and lower blood levels. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g. ketoconazole) or CYP2D6 (e.g. quinidine, fluoxetine or paroxetine) can inhibit aripiprazole elimination and cause increased blood levels. Increased CNS depression with ethanol.
Adult Dose
Patients with known CV diseases (e.g. history of MI, IHD, CCF or conduction abnormalities), cerebrovascular diseases or conditions which would predispose patients to hypotension; Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Caution when operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles when taking aripiprazole. Pregnancy.
Lactation: Excreted in human breast milk; a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother
Renal Dose
Aripiprazole acts as a partial agonist at D2 and 5-HT1A receptors and as an antagonist at 5-HT2A receptors.
Contraindication
Schizophrenia
13-17 years: 2 mg/day PO initially; increased to 5 mg/day after 2 days; increased to recommended dosage of 10 mg/day after additional 2 days; may subsequently be increased by 5 mg/day; maintenance: 10-30 mg/day
Bipolar Mania
Acute manic or mixed episodes, either as monotherapy or as adjunct to lithium or valproate
10-17 years: 2 mg/day PO initially; increased to 5 mg/day after 2 days; increased to recommended dosage of 10 mg/day after additional 2 days; may subsequently be increased by 5 mg/day; maintenance: 10-30 mg/day
Autism
Irritability associated with autistic disorder
<6>1 week to target dosage of 5 mg/day; may gradually be further increased PRN to 10 mg/day or higher; not to exceed 15 mg/day
Tourette Disorder
6-18 years (<50 kg)
Initiate at 2 mg/day PO with a target dose of 5 mg/day after 2 days
The dose can be increased to 10 mg/day in patients who do not achieve optimal control of tics
Dosage adjustments should occur gradually at intervals of no less than 1 week
6-18 years (?50 kg)
Initiate at 2 mg/day PO for 2 days, and then increase to 5 mg/day for 5 days, with a target dose of 10 mg/day on day 8
The dose can be increased up to 20 mg/day for patients who do not achieve optimal control of tics
Dosage adjustments should occur gradually in increments of 5 mg/day at intervals of no less than 1 week
Mode of Action
May be taken with or without food.
Precaution
Major depressive disorder, Schizophrenia, Acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder, Agitation, Irritability in autism
Pregnancy Category Note
>10%
Weight gain (8-30%),Headache (27%),Agitation (19%),Insomnia (18%),Anxiety (17%),Nausea and vomiting (11-15%),Akathisia (10-13%),Lightheadedness (11%),Constipation (10-11%)
1-10%
Dizziness (10%),Dyspepsia (9%),Somnolence (5-8%),Fatigue (6%),Restlessness (6%),Tremor (6%),Dry mouth/xerostomia (5%) ,Extrapyramidal disorder (5%),Orthostatic hypotension (1-5%),Musculoskeletal stiffness (4%),Abdominal discomfort (3%),Blurred vision (3%),Cough (3%),Pain (3%),Myalgia (2%),Rash,Rhinitis
<1%
Altered mental status,Autonomic instability,Dysphagia,Hyperpyrexia,Muscle rigidity,Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS),Seizure,Tardive dyskinesia
Interaction
Hypersensitivity. Lactation. Children <18 yr.