Abilify generic availability, cost, and dosage

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Abilify?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Abilify?
• How much is generic Abilify?
• Safety
• How to switch from Abilify to aripiprazole
• Expert takeaway

In this article

• Is there a generic for Abilify?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Abilify?
• How much is generic Abilify?
• Safety
• How to switch from Abilify to aripiprazole
• Expert takeaway

Abilify is a brand-name medication approved to treat certain mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. It’s also used for the treatment of Tourette’s disorder and irritability related to autistic disorder. Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole, which belongs to a drug class called atypical antipsychotics. Although it’s commonly known by its brand name, Abilify is often prescribed as a generic drug.

Continue reading to learn more about Abilify and its generic aripiprazole.

Is there a generic for Abilify?

Yes, there is a generic version of Abilify available called aripiprazole. Brand-name Abilify first received FDA approval in 2002, and in 2015, the first generic version was approved. 

Aripiprazole is widely available at pharmacies across the U.S. and is more commonly dispensed in pharmacies than Abilify. This is because generic medicines are much less expensive than their brand-name counterparts, even though they work just as well. In 2023, around 7 million people were prescribed aripiprazole in the U.S. 

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Abilify?

The FDA requires brand-name medications to undergo extensive testing before being approved. For example, brand-name drugs are put through several clinical trials to prove they are safe and effective. On the other hand, the approval process for generic medications is much more brief. Generic manufacturers don’t have to perform as many studies, but must prove that the generic prescription medication is the same as its brand-name counterpart in specific ways. 

First, manufacturers must prove that the generic drug is as safe and effective as the brand-name drug. Next, they have to show that the generic medication has the same effect on the body, reaching the same levels in the body in the same amount of time. Because generic drugs don’t have to undergo as much testing, they cost significantly less than brand-name medications. 

Appearance

Although both generic and brand-name versions contain the same active ingredient, generic Abilify may look different from brand-name Abilify. Generic manufacturers make versions of aripiprazole that may differ in color and shape. Despite their differences in appearance, both Abilify and its generic will have the same effects. 

Dosage forms

Brand-name and generic Abilify are prescribed at the same dosage. They are available in several forms and strengths, including:

• Abilify Asimtufii injection: 720 mg/2.4 mL, 960 mg/3.2 mL
• Abilify Maintena injection: 300 mg, 400 mg
• Abilify tablets: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg
• Aripiprazole dissolvable tablets: 10 mg, 15 mg
• Aripiprazole liquid solution: 1 mg/mL
• Aripiprazole tablets: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg

The recommended dosage will vary based on the person’s age, the medical condition being treated, and other medications they are taking.

Clinical studies

The FDA conducts a rigorous review to ensure that generic medications work similarly and have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name equivalents. Generic drugs must be the same as brand-name medications in safety, effectiveness, stability, quality, and how it is taken.

Still, some studies find that there may be differences between brand and generic drugs. For example, one 2020 study found that people who took generic antidepressants were at higher risk of psychiatric hospital visits than those who took their brand-name counterparts. However, this specific study didn’t include aripiprazole. 

Although studies like the one mentioned above exist, they are certainly more the exception than the norm. Generic medications still offer significant cost savings; in the U.S., 9 out of 10 prescriptions are filled for generics. 

The following table summarizes important information about Abilify and its generic aripiprazole. 

 

Abilify (aripiprazole) uses
Uses	Oral tablet, oral solution, and orally disintegrating tablet: Schizophrenia Bipolar I disorder Irritability related to autistic disorder Tourette’s syndrome Major depressive disorder, when taken with other medication (adjunctive therapy) Injection: Schizophrenia Bipolar I disorder Agitation related to schizophrenia or bipolar mania (short-acting IM formulation)

How much is generic Abilify?

There is a significant price difference between brand-name and generic Abilify if you pay out of pocket. For example, the cash price of brand-name Abilify is around $900 for 30, 5 mg tablets. But if you choose generic Abilify, you could pay as low as $13 for the same prescription when using a SingleCare coupon. 

You can check the SingleCare website for coupons for your prescription. On the prescription page, click the drop-down menu to select the medication (brand or generic), dosage, and quantity. Then, find a local pharmacy that accepts SingleCare coupons.

Brand vs. generic Abilify prices and availability
Cost info	Brand-name Abilify	Abilify generic (aripiprazole)
Average cost without insurance	$880 for 30, 5 mg tablets of Abilify	$573 for 30, 5 mg tablets of Abilify
SingleCare’s lowest price	$15 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic Abilify at Food Lion	$13 for 30, 5 mg tablets of aripiprazole at Food Lion
Free coupons	Abilify coupons	Aripiprazole coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of 11/24/25. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.

In some situations, a healthcare provider may prescribe a medication for a non-FDA-approved purpose. Using an approved drug for an unapproved use is called off-label use. Examples of off-label uses of brand-name and generic Abilify may include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Delirium and certain symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
• Substance use disorders

Abilify is not typically a first-line treatment for any of these off-label uses. However, a healthcare provider may recommend it alongside other treatment options or alone if other treatments haven’t worked well enough. The effectiveness of Abilify for these uses may still need to be studied further in clinical trials.

Safety concerns with Abilify

Both brand-name and generic Abilify come with important precautions. The most notable ones are found on the boxed warning of the FDA label:

• Abilify may cause an increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. While Abilify is approved to treat schizophrenia, it’s not approved for psychosis associated with dementia.
• Abilify may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults who are 24 and under. Therefore, it’s important to watch for potential worsening or new suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 

Abilify may also come with other side effects, including but not limited to the following:

• Abilify can make it harder for the body to cool down. Drink fluids during exercise, strenuous activity, or extreme heat. 
• Abilify may cause orthostatic hypotension, or low blood pressure, when switching from lying or sitting to a standing position. Since it can cause falls, it’s important to change positions slowly when standing up from a seated position.
• Abilify may impair movement or thinking. It’s best not to drive or do anything that requires focus and attention before understanding the medication’s full effects.
• Be sure to read the Medication Guide with the prescription for important information about Abilify, including when to seek medical advice or get emergency medical help.

Abilify, like other antipsychotic medications, can also lead to more serious side effects such as high blood sugar, uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia), or stiff muscles linked to neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Immediate medical attention should be sought for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, a fast heart rate, or severe changes in mood or behavior. Pediatric patients, elderly people, or those with a family history of diabetes may be at greater risk for these adverse effects.

How to switch from Abilify to aripiprazole

Switching from brand to generic Abilify should be relatively easy, as state laws allow pharmacists to automatically dispense the generic version of brand-name medications. So, if a healthcare provider writes a prescription for “Abilify,” unless you or your provider specifically requests the brand, the pharmacy will dispense the generic aripiprazole.

If you’re already taking the brand-name drug, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about switching. More than likely, they will approve the switch. However, don’t stop taking Abilify on your own. Some people may need to stop Abilify gradually to avoid withdrawal effects. It’s best to discuss this change with your doctor. 

Once you switch to generic Abilify, pay close attention to your mood, thoughts, and behavior, and make note of any side effects you experience. This will help you and your healthcare provider determine if the new medication is working and see if there needs to be any adjustments.

Expert takeaway 

“Pharmacists typically dispense the generic version of Abilify unless the healthcare provider indicates that the brand name is medically necessary. The generic is just as effective as the brand-name drug, just at a more accessible price for many people,” says Gerardo Sison, member of the SingleCare Medical Review Board.