7 Abilify Alternatives to Consider — Talkspace

Alternative Medications to Abilify

People may want to make changes to their antipsychotic medication or treatment plan for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, there are multiple alternatives to Abilify for depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions.

1. Vraylar

While Vraylar (cariprazine) is a different medication in the same class of medications as Abilify, this atypical antipsychotic drug appears to have less serious side effects in some people. Vraylar is prescribed to treat MDD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Although, the studies show that Abilify is generally not linked to excessive weight gain in most people who take it. So if you’re not too worried about gaining weight due to an adverse reaction to the antipsychotic medications you’re taking, Vraylar could be a good alternative to Abilify.

2. Rexulti

Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is another atypical antipsychotic medication. It may be a stronger prescription medication than Abilify, so the dosage would typically be lower. That said, it works in the same way as Abilify and other antipsychotic drugs by altering dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.

Rexulti is approved by the FDA to treat schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD). When used for MDD, it is usually prescribed in combination with other antidepressants. It may also be prescribed to manage agitation related to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and is sometimes used off-label for bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

3. Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant in the class of medications known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). It is generally much cheaper than Abilify, although some studies suggest that augmentation therapy with Abilify may be more effective in the long term compared to combination therapy with Wellbutrin for depression. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that drug interactions can work differently from person to person.

4. Celexa

Celexa (citalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Antidepressants in this class of medications work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, raising levels to improve mood and treat depression.

Celexa can be used to treat stress and anxiety, depression, and postpartum depression in some people. It is known to cause more side effects than other SSRIs, so monitoring how you react to Celexa will be crucial if you decide to try it instead of Abilify.