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Overview: Opipza is used to treat certain mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, irritability in autism, and Tourette syndrome. Common side effects include restlessness, movement problems, and drowsiness. Opipza can affect your alertness or coordination. It can also affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Try to avoid getting overheated, stay hydrated, and wear light and breathable clothing while you are taking Opipza.

Uses

What is Opipza used for?

Opipza (aripiprazole) is commonly used for the following conditions.

Opipza may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

See also: Abilify Asimtufii, Abilify Maintena, Aripiprazole, and Aristada

How does Opipza work (mechanism of action)?

Opipza belongs to a group of medicines called second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics. It is thought to work by balancing brain chemicals called serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are known to affect thoughts and mood.

How is Opipza supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Opipza

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2 mg oral films
  • 5 mg oral films
  • 10 mg oral films

How should I store Opipza?

Opipza should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Each Opipza film comes in its own pouch. Do not open the pouch until you are ready to take it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Opipza?

The most common side effects of Opipza are listed below. These side effects may vary based on the condition being treated and your age. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Restlessness (akathisia)
  • Uncontrolled movements (see below), tremors, or muscle stiffness
  • Drowsiness or tiredness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Constipation 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Fever
  • Drooling or excess saliva
  • Changes in appetite
  • Headache
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Lack of energy

There may be other side effects of Opipza that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Opipza?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Opipza are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Opipza or other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of children, teenagers, or young adults. The risk is higher in the first few months of taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in your mood or behavior

Severe Allergic Reactions. Opipza may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Opipza and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Unusual or Compulsive Behaviors. Opipza can cause some people to have strong unusual and uncontrolled urges (compulsions), including gambling, sex, shopping, or eating. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you or someone you know notices that you have new or worsening strong urges or behaviors.

Uncontrolled Movements. Opipza can cause some people to have movements that they cannot control. This condition, called tardive dyskinesia (TD), can cause jerky movements of the face, tongue, or body. TD can be permanent. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of TD.

  • Tongue sticking out
  • Lip smacking or puckering
  • Grimacing
  • Rapid eye blinking
  • Jerking or twisting motion of the arms, legs, or trunk

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Antipsychotic medicines, like Opipza, may cause a rare but serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. NMS can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following serious symptoms.

  • High fever
  • Muscle stiffness or rigidity, where it is hard to move
  • Confusion 
  • Changes in your breathing or heart rate
  • Increased sweating

Blood Disorders. Opipza can cause blood disorders, such as low white blood cell levels (leukopenia, neutropenia, or agranulocytosis). Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider to check your blood work. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Metabolism Problems. Taking Opipza can cause high blood sugar levels or diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and weight gain. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider to check your blood work and weight. Call your healthcare provider if you gain weight or develop the following symptoms of high blood sugar.

  • Thirsty more than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Your breath smelling fruity

Low Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension) or Falls. Opipza may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position, especially when starting the medicine or increasing the dose. This may increase your risk of falling. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak

Seizures. Some people who have taken Opipza have reported having seizures. Your risk may be higher if you have certain health conditions, some of which may be more common in people 65 years of age or older. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking Opipza and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Body Temperature Regulation. Opipza can affect your ability to regulate your body temperature. This could make you become very hot, especially in hot weather or after exercising a lot. You should drink water and avoid overheating and dehydration. Call your healthcare provider right away if you are severely ill and have the following symptoms of dehydration.

  • Excessive or no sweating
  • Dry mouth
  • Feeling very hot
  • Feeling thirsty 
  • Not able to pee

Trouble Swallowing. Opipza can cause trouble swallowing (dysphagia), which can increase your risk of choking while eating or drinking. Eat small amounts of food, and chew your food well. Get emergency help if you are choking or have food stuck in your esophagus that is not passing.

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Opipza can affect your alertness or coordination. It can also make you sleepy. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Opipza affects you.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Opipza?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Opipza.

  • Aripiprazole
  • Opipza
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Opipza.

What should I know about Opipza before using it?

Do not take Opipza unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Opipza with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Opipza out of the reach of children.

Read and follow the “Instructions for Use” that comes with your medicine. When it is time for you to take Opipza, open the pouch and place the film on the top of your tongue. Let it dissolve in your mouth. Do not chew, cut, or split Opipza. Do not swallow it before it dissolves. If you need to use more than one film for your dose, take each film one at a time. Be sure the first film has completely dissolved before taking another one.

Because Opipza can make it hard for you to regulate your body temperature, try to avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated. Drink plenty of water, limit your exposure to the heat and sun, do not overexercise, and wear light and breathable clothing.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Opipza. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Opipza?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Opipza is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Psychosis Related to Dementia. There is a higher risk of death, stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) that can lead to death in older adults who take Opipza or another antipsychotic and have memory loss or psychosis related to dementia. Opipza is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.

Blood Disorders. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had a low white blood cell level. Taking Opipza may lower your white blood cell level even more and may increase your risk of developing an infection.

Blood Sugar. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diabetes, high blood sugar, or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Taking Opipza may cause your blood sugar to increase.

Cholesterol. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had high cholesterol or triglycerides (fat in your blood). Taking Opipza may cause your cholesterol or triglycerides to increase.

Seizures. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a seizure in the past. Opipza may increase your chance of having a seizure.

Blood Pressure. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had a history of high or low blood pressure. Your blood pressure may be affected while taking Opipza. 

Heart Problems or Stroke. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had a stroke or heart problems. Taking Opipza may increase your chance of having a stroke or heart problems, especially if you are older.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Opipza may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking aripiprazole, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Opipza used later in pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of certain problems in your newborn. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Opipza while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Opipza, you can register for the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications by calling 866-961-2388 or at womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry. This registry collects safety information about the use of psychiatric medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Opipza passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Opipza while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Opipza?

For more information about Opipza, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at carwinpharma.com/opipza or call them at 877-676-0778.

Interactions

Does Opipza interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Opipza and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Opipza. Drinking alcohol while taking Opipza could increase your risk of sleepiness, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing. 

Does Opipza interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Opipza.

  • Ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Paroxetine or fluoxetine, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • A medicine for high blood pressure
  • A benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Opipza. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Opipza. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Opipza?

If you or someone else has used too much Opipza, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Opipza?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.