What is Abilify?

Abilify is an antipsychotic drug and a partial dopamine agonist that is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and sometimes autism. When used to treat depression, it is usually prescribed as a supplement to other drugs that have stopped working on their own. Unlike other antipsychotic medications that suppress or inhibit dopamine receptors, Abilify regulates hyperdopaminergic states while still maintaining the normal function of dopamine. A common theory of one of the causes of schizophrenia and psychosis is the over activity of dopamine in the brain due to extra D2 receptors. By regulating dopamine, Abilify is able to control some of the symptoms of schizophrenia as well as bipolar disorder, depression, and autism.