If you’re looking at treatment options for schizophrenia, your doctor might suggest Aristada or Aristada Initio for you.
Aristada and Aristada Initio are prescription drugs used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
The active ingredient in Aristada and Aristada Initio is aripiprazole lauroxil. The active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
Aristada and Aristada Initio both come as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection into your muscle. You’ll receive doses of Aristada or Aristada Initio at either your doctor’s office, a clinic, or another type of outpatient facility.
This article describes the dosages of Aristada and Aristada Initio, as well as their strengths and how to take the drugs. To learn more about Aristada and Aristada Initio, see this in-depth article.
Note: This dosing chart highlights the dosage basics for Aristada and Aristada Initio. Be sure to read on for more detail. And keep in mind that this article covers the standard dosage schedule for these drugs, which is provided by the manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.
| Drug | Dose | How often it’s given |
| Aristada | 441 mg | once per month |
| 662 mg | once per month | |
| 882 mg | once per month or once every 6 weeks | |
| 1,064 mg | once every 2 months | |
| Aristada Initio | 675 mg | one time, when starting or restarting Aristada treatment |
This section covers standard dosage information for Aristada and Aristada Initio. Before you start treatment with either of these medications, your doctor will create a dosage schedule that’s specific to your needs.
What is the form of Aristada and Aristada Initio?
Aristada and Aristada Initio both come as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection into your muscle. Depending on your dose, you may receive injections into the muscle of your deltoid (shoulder) or buttock.
You’ll receive doses of Aristada or Aristada Initio at either your doctor’s office, a clinic, or another type of outpatient facility.
What strengths do Aristada and Aristada Initio come in?
Aristada comes in four strengths: 441 milligrams (mg), 662 mg, 882 mg, and 1,064 mg.
Aristada Initio comes in one strength: 675 mg.
What are the typical dosages of Aristada and Aristada Initio?
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Even though Aristada and Aristada Initio have the same active ingredient, their dosages are different.
Aristada Initio is given just one time to start your Aristada treatment or restart Aristada if you’ve missed a dose. The recommended Aristada Initio dosage is 675 mg given once with your first Aristada dose, along with one 30-mg dose of Abilify (aripiprazole) taken by mouth.
If you’ve already been taking aripiprazole by mouth, your doctor may prescribe your Aristada injection dosage based on your previous aripiprazole dosage.
The following are recommended Aristada dosages based on your previous aripiprazole dosage:
| Aripiprazole dosage | Aristada dosage |
| 10 mg daily | 441 mg once per month |
| 15 mg daily | 662 mg once per month |
| 15 mg daily | 882 mg once every 6 weeks |
| 15 mg daily | 1,064 mg once every 2 months |
| 20 mg or more daily | 882 mg once per month |
If you’ve never taken aripiprazole tablets, your doctor will test to see if it’s safe for you to take aripiprazole before you begin receiving Aristada. They typically check this by having you take aripiprazole by mouth for up to 2 weeks before starting your Aristada treatment.
Are Aristada and Aristada Initio used long term?
Yes, Aristada is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Aristada is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.
Aristada Initio is typically given once with your first Aristada dose. After that, you won’t need to continue with Aristada Initio unless you miss a dose. In that case, your doctor will let you know if you’ll need another Aristada Initio dose.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may adjust your Aristada dosage if you take certain medications along with Aristada. If you take other drugs, talk with your doctor before starting your Aristada treatment.
The dosage of Aristada you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the severity of the condition you’re using Aristada to treat
- how often you receive Aristada
- other medications you may be taking (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is the dosage of Aristada and Aristada Initio?”)
Aristada and Aristada are both given as an injection into your muscle. You’ll receive your dose at your doctor’s office, a clinic, or another type of outpatient facility. Depending on your dose, you may receive injections into the muscle of your deltoid (shoulder) or buttock.
Your doctor may start your Aristada treatment in one of the following ways:
- You may receive your first Aristada injection along with one 675-mg injection of Aristada Initio and one 30-mg dose of aripiprazole taken by mouth. You could receive your doses of Aristada Initio and aripiprazole on the same day as your first Aristada dose or up to 10 days before.
- You may receive your first dose of Aristada along with aripiprazole taken by mouth for 21 consecutive days. In this case, you won’t get an Aristada Initio injection.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Aristada. You should discuss any questions you have about your Aristada dosage with your doctor or pharmacist.
Instead of an Aristada injection, is there an oral dose equivalent of aripiprazole lauroxil that I can take?
Yes. If you and your doctor decide that aripiprazole taken orally (by mouth) is best for you, they can convert your Aristada dosage to an oral dose equivalent.
The following table is a dosage guide for Aristada injections and the equivalent dosage of aripiprazole taken by mouth.
| Aristada dosage | Aripiprazole dosage |
| 441 mg once per month | 10 mg per day |
| 662 mg once per month | 15 mg per day |
| 882 mg once per month | 20 mg or more per day |
| 882 mg once every 6 weeks | 15 mg per day |
| 1,064 mg once every 2 months | 15 mg per day |
How does Abilify Maintena dosing compare with Aristada dosing?
Abilify Maintena and Aristada are both drugs used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
The recommended starting dosage of Abilify Maintena is 400 milligrams (mg) given once per month. If you have certain side effects, your doctor may lower your dose to 300 mg given once per month.
Your Aristada dose may range from 441 mg to 1,064 mg, depending on your individual needs, other medications you may take, and how often you receive injections. Unlike Abilify Maintena, Aristada doses can be given once per month, every 6 weeks, or every 2 months.
To learn more about how Aristada and Abilify Maintena compare, see this article.
It’s important that you keep your appointments for your Aristada injections. If you think you might miss an appointment, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule.
Try to reschedule your appointment as close to your original appointment as you can. Depending on how long it’s been since your last dose, you may need to have an Aristida Initio injection with your next Aristada dose. In some cases, you may need to take Abilify (aripiprazole) by mouth along with your Aristida Initio dose.
If you need help remembering to keep your Aristada appointments, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Aristada or Aristada Initio for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long does it take for Aristada to work?
- How long do I need to keep taking Abilify tablets after starting Aristada?
- Does my dosage of Aristada need to change if I’m taking other medications with it?
- Would a lower dose help relieve my side effects from Aristada?
Q:
I’ll be out of town when my next Aristada dose is due. Can my doctor give my injection early, before I go on my trip?
AnonymousA:
In some cases, this may be possible.
It’s important to keep your appointments for your Aristada injections. If you’re planning to be out of town when your next Aristada dose is due, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. Your new appointment should be as close as possible to your original appointment.
You may be able to receive your Aristada injection early, but it should not be given within 14 days of the previous injection. Your doctor can help adjust your dosage schedule for your specific needs.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Tanya Kertsman, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.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.