Abilify (aripiprazole) is a prescription oral tablet used to treat depression, schizophrenia, and other conditions. Abilify may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Abilify is a safe option for you.

It isn’t known whether Abilify is safe to take while you’re pregnant. The drug hasn’t specifically been studied during pregnancy. However, Abilify is an antipsychotic drug. Medications in this drug group can increase the risk of side effects or withdrawal symptoms in newborns if they’re taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when stopping a drug the body has become dependent on.)

Examples of these side effects or withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • sleepiness
  • agitation (acting restless or bothered)
  • decreased or increased muscle tone
  • refusing to eat certain foods or difficulty eating
  • tremor (shaking in at least one part of the body, such as the arms or legs)
  • trouble breathing

If you take Abilify during pregnancy, consider enrolling in the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. Pregnancy registries collect information about the safety of drugs when used during pregnancy. For more information, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the registry’s website or call 866-961-2388.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects Abilify could have on you or your child.

It’s not known whether Abilify is safe to use while breastfeeding. But it’s possible that if taken while breastfeeding, Abilify may:

  • pass into breast milk
  • cause breastfed children to have difficulty gaining weight
  • lower your milk supply, according to some reports

If you have questions about taking Abilify while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the reproductive health information provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor prescribes Abilify for you, they can provide more details.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • If I stop taking Abilify during pregnancy, how will we treat my condition?
  • Are there other treatment options for my condition that are safer to take while breastfeeding?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Abilify?

To learn more about Abilify, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.