Abilify (Aripiprazole) is a brand drug available on prescription. The FDA has approved the medication to treat various types of mood disorders or other mental problems. Read more to understand why is Abilify so expensive.
Abilify Uses:
Precisely, Abilify is recommended to treat the following conditions in certain people:
- Manic and mixed events associated with bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Tourette’s syndrome
Abilify is an antipsychotic drug that acts by helping in the restoration of the brain’s normal chemical equilibrium (neurotransmitters). Abilify helps to concentrate and lower hallucinations. Abilify may also be used for treating intense mood swings and decrease the intensity at which they happen.
How does Abilify work?
Abilify acts in a person’s brain to treat schizophrenia. It belongs to the class of atypical antipsychotics or second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Aripiprazole works by rebalancing serotonin and dopamine, hence improving the mood, behavior, and thinking process of a person.
There are many brand names for this medication: Abilify, Abilify Mycite, and Abilify Maintena. They all consist of a similar active medicament, Aripiprazole. The Abilify medication uses and its costs may differ based upon the brand the doctor prescribes. For more information about why is Abilify so expensive, refer to this article.
What are the side effects of Abilify?
Potential Abilify side effects involve:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Anxiety
- Drowsiness or feeling shaky
- Stomach pain
- Pain in arms, legs, or joints
- Increased salivation
- Weight gain
Abilify Precautions:
Before the use of Abilify, inform the concerned doctor regarding medical history, particularly of:
- Issues with blood flow in the brain (like stroke, or cerebrovascular disorder)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart issues (like heart failure, hypotension, coronary artery disease, abnormal heartbeat)
- Breathing difficulties during sleep (sleep apnea)
- Nerve issues (like seizures, dementia, NMS)
- Low WBC count
- Swallowing issues
Read further to know why is Abilify so expensive.
How much does Abilify cost?
As with all drugs, the Abilify price may differ. Factors that might influence the cost may include:
- Treatment plan
- Insurance coverage
- The brand of Abilify prescribed by the doctor
- Pharmacy being used
- Whether Abilify is under a savings program.
So, how much does generic Abilify cost? To locate what the cost of Abilify would be for the person, it is better to discuss it with a doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. In this blog, you will get to know why is Abilify so expensive.
Cost of Abilify vs Abilify Maintena vs Abilify Mycite:
Abilify comes in different brand forms, versions, and strengths. The price can depend on the dose and brand of the drug recommended by the doctor. For instance, the price might be higher for Abilify Maintena in comparison to the Abilify oral tablets.
This is due to the reason that Abilify Maintena is an intramuscular injection given by the doctor once time in a month. Together with the drug price, there may be a distinct injection cost for receiving the shot at a physician’s office.
If a patient has insurance, the cost of Abilify tablets might be based on whether a patient has a copay. In addition, it might depend upon whether an insurance company needs a patient to pay part of the price for a brand medication.
The price of Abilify Mycite tablets might be more than that of Abilify tablets. This is due to the reason that Abilify Mycite has a distinct sensor on the tablets. Also, it is available with a pod and Mycite patch strips to be placed.
To make use of this form, one has to download the Abilify Mycite app. The app maintains a record of whether a patient is having the tablet or not. Also, it assists a patient and his or her doctor to know if he or she is staying on course with the treatment plan. You can understand why is Abilify so expensive in the blog below.
Factors that Influence the cost of generic Abilify:
There are a variety of factors that may affect the price of Abilify. As the cost breakdown is not always open, it’s vital to understand the factors that may be increasing the cost of prescriptions.
Why is generic Abilify so expensive? A few of the factors that may influence the price of Abilify may involve dose, brand name prescription, and mode of administration, like a conventional oral tablet, vial, oral liquid solution, or oral dissolving tablet. Read more to know why is generic Abilify so expensive.
Generic versus Brand Price of Aripiprazole:
Brand drugs are usually more costly in comparison to generic drugs, even if there is a slight change between both. Generic drugs are found to be 85% cheaper compared to their brand equivalents. Generic and brand drugs go through similar testing and approval processes and have similar doses, safety, and efficacy.
In addition, it’s vital to know that a person must never be uncertain regarding generic drugs, as they are an important way to save money on prescriptions. This blog will provide you with information on why is Abilify so expensive.
What is the cost of Abilify without insurance?
The cost of Abilify without insurance may differ based on the brand of Abilify being prescribed and the patient’s treatment plan. Also, it is based on whether a person is eligible for a patient assistance cost savings plan. LifeRx Pharmacy can assist in navigating these options. You can buy Abilify online at a low price from LifeRx Pharmacy.
Usually, the cost of Abilify without insurance would be higher compared to the Abilify cost with insurance. Yet, if a person has insurance, the cost would be based on the Abilify brand the doctor prescribes, his or her insurance coverage, and out-of-pocket prices.
The insurance provider might provide details of the exact price of Abilify to the person. If a person does not have insurance and wishes to know about the price of Abilify, he/she can buy Abilify online at LifeRx Pharmacy. Learn more about why is Abilify so expensive.
How much does Abilify cost with insurance?
The cost of Abilify with insurance can vary significantly depending on several factors such as the type of insurance plan, coverage details, deductibles, copayments, and whether the medication is considered a preferred or non-preferred drug on the formulary.
It’s recommended to check with your insurance provider directly or review your insurance plan’s drug formulary to get accurate information on the cost of Abilify with your specific insurance coverage. Additionally, pharmacies may also provide estimates of the cost of insurance if you provide them with your insurance information.
Ways to reduce Abilify cost:
If a person takes Abilify for the long term, he or she might reduce its cost in the following ways.
Receiving a 3-month supply:
A person might be capable of receiving a 90-day supply of Abilify, based on the brand of this medication prescribed by the doctor. Not all types of Abilify are obtainable for lasting use through a pharmacy. If Abilify is accepted by the insurance company, receiving a 90-day supply of the medication might lower the number of trips to the pharmacy and help reduce the price. If a person is interested in this alternative, discuss it with the concerned doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Utilizing a mail-order pharmacy:
Abilify might be obtainable via a mail-order pharmacy in a few cases. This is based on the type of Abilify prescribed by the doctor. This form of service can help in reducing the medication cost and lets a person get the drug without leaving home. There are a few Medicare plans that can assist in covering the price of mail-order drugs. Also, a person might be capable of receiving a 90-day supply of the drug through a mail order.
Financial and Insurance help:
If a person requires financial support to manage to pay for Abilify, or if he or she requires assistance in knowing about the insurance coverage, help is accessible. For instance: A savings card for Abilify tablets is obtainable.
A program referred to as the Abilify Maintena Savings Program is obtainable for Abilify Maintena. If a person is recommended Abilify Mycite, the medication comes via a specialty pharmacy. The pharmacist would assist a person in navigating any problems while affording the prescription.
For instance, they would work with the insurance company to look out for any alternatives if the medication isn’t covered. Read on to know why is Abilify so expensive.
Why is Abilify So Expensive?
Following 17 years, Abilify is still one of the most money-making antipsychotic medications sold in America at the moment. Actually, between 2013 and 2014, the brand medication grossed $7.2 billion, which was a superior profit made compared to any single medication ever sold.
Millions of Americans are consuming Abilify or its generic Aripiprazole each year. Hence, after so many years why is Abilify so expensive in the market?
Inappropriately, the answer to this query is both discouraging and complex. There is an extensive chain of delivery that runs from manufacturers to users. Also, several factors come into play while bearing in mind all the reasons why a specific drug costs as much as it does.
There is no particular reason to blame, however, it’s safe to say that prescription medication price fixing, marketing costs, spread pricing, corporate greed, and (to some degree) research and development are thought to play an important role in causing Abilify’s cost to be so high. These are all the reasons why is Abilify so expensive.
Pharmaceutical firms and pharmacies work similarly to any other corporate for-profit company in America. The reason, they are selling a product that individuals badly need, does not essentially imply that they always have the user’s best interest in mind.
The likely reasons lie within the administrations themselves: The pharmaceutical firms, the FDA, drug wholesalers, along specific pharmacies providing the drug. As soon as a prescription reaches the hands of the users, it must pass through a long chain of distribution. The several defective practices existing at each level require to be discovered to better understand why is Abilify so expensive.
Alternatives to Abilify:
Besides Abilify and Rexulti, other second-generation antipsychotics include:
- Geodon (Ziprasidone)
- Risperdal (Risperidone)
- Seroquel (Quetiapine)
- Latuda (Lurasidone)
- Vraylar (Cariprazine)
- Zyprexa (Olanzapine)
FAQs:
How long does it take for Abilify to work?
A person may expect Abilify to begin acting in the body within 1 to 2 weeks. However, it might take numerous weeks until it takes complete effect. A few individuals might notice the constant improvement in this drug during the initial three to four months of consumption.
What is considered a high dose of Abilify?
Abilify works effectively in the dose range of 10 mg/day to 30 mg/day. Improved effectiveness at doses greater than a daily dose of 15 mg has not been established even if individual patients might take advantage of a higher dose. The maximum daily dose of the drug is 30 mg.
How long does Abilify stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of Abilify (Aripiprazole) is approximately 75 hours, meaning it takes about 3 days for half of the drug to be removed from your system. However, it can take several days to over a week for the medication to be fully cleared from your body. Factors such as individual metabolism, dosage, and duration of use can influence how long Abilify stays in your system. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized information.
How to lose weight on Abilify?
A person may assist in preventing weight gain from Abilify by incorporating healthy lifestyle patterns like regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet. A healthy diet involves a variety of fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and whole grains.
How to taper off Abilify?
If a person is considering stopping the use of this medication, it is vital to remember that he or she must never discontinue its use all at once. Stopping the usage of Abilify must also be done slowly, though gradually tapering and lowering its dose.
What not to take with Abilify?
The concerned healthcare provider might suggest avoiding having grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while using Abilify. The medication may show interaction with this food and drink.
When to take Abilify morning or night?
Abilify can be taken either in the morning or at night, depending on individual preference and how it affects you. Some people find that taking it in the morning helps with daytime symptoms, while others prefer taking it at night to minimize potential side effects during the day. It’s important to take Abilify consistently at the same time each day to maintain steady levels of the medication in your system. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best time for you based on your specific needs and response to the medication.
What happens if you stop taking Abilify?
If you stop taking Abilify suddenly, especially without consulting your healthcare provider, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, and a potential relapse of the condition it was prescribed to treat. It’s essential to work with your doctor to safely taper off Abilify if discontinuation is necessary to minimize these effects and manage your condition effectively.
What medications should not be taken with Abilify?
It is recommended not to take antidepressants including Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, and Nefazodone with this drug. Abilify is an expensive medication. Read more on why is Abilify so expensive at LifeRx Pharmacy.
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