Key takeaways
Aripiprazole is a prescription antipsychotic drug used to treat mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.
It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Some may be able to combine aripiprazole with a small amount of alcohol without any issues, while others may experience more serious side effects.
Aripiprazole, also known by the brand name Abilify, is an atypical antipsychotic medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, major depressive disorder, and irritability associated with autism. It has a multifaceted mechanism of action, working by altering how certain natural substances in the brain operate. It is a partial dopamine agonist, which means it helps regulate dopamine receptors in the brain and improve symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Aripiprazole also impacts serotonin receptors, which can improve mood and reduce hallucinations or delusions.
Typically, aripiprazole is used long-term to manage symptoms. If you used to drink occasionally before starting this prescription drug, you may be wondering if you are able to safely consume alcoholic beverages when taking it. Experts generally do not recommend drinking alcohol while on aripiprazole, though some people may find they are able to drink small amounts of alcohol occasionally without any side effects.
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Can you drink while taking aripiprazole?
“It’s not generally recommended to drink alcohol while taking aripiprazole,” says Sylvie Stacy, MD, an addiction medicine specialist and chief medical officer of Rehab.com. “Drinking small amounts of alcohol while taking it isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it comes with some risk.”
“Mixing alcohol with this antipsychotic medication can amplify side effects,” says Sherma Morton, MD, national medical director at Eleanor Health. For example, alcohol consumption can add to the sleepiness that some people experience while taking aripiprazole. On top of that, the effects of alcohol are amplified when combined with a drug like aripiprazole, so you may feel more drunk, faster.
Alcohol affects people differently, so for some, a drink here and there won’t pose a problem. However, not everyone can tolerate the combination of alcohol and aripiprazole. “Others have felt unexpectedly drunk or nauseated after just a drink or two,” Dr. Stacy explains. “I have one memorable patient who assumed drinking would be fine in moderation. She ended up confused and emotionally reactive for two days afterward.”
What happens if you mix aripiprazole and alcohol?
The combination can intensify the effects of both substances and also undermine the mood stabilizing effects of aripiprazole in the following ways.
Increased side effects
The side effects of aripiprazole and of drinking alcohol are quite similar, so combining the two can mean experiencing some side effects at a more intense level.
“Side effects of combining aripiprazole and alcohol can be drowsiness, dizziness, and a higher risk of blackouts,” cautions Dr. Stacy. “I’ve heard of patients becoming much more impaired than they expected after just a couple of drinks.”
“Both alcohol and aripiprazole affect your brain and central nervous system,” says Dr. Morton. “When combined, they can make you feel more tired, dizzy, or foggy than either would alone. That means your judgment, reaction time, and ability to think clearly can take a hit—which could lead to dangerous situations, especially if you’re driving or need to make quick decisions.”
Mood changes
“Abilify affects how the brain processes dopamine and serotonin,” says Dr. Stacy. “Alcohol can influence those effects unpredictably, and it can mess with the stability people are trying to achieve by taking Abilify in the first place.” She further notes that alcohol can worsen agitation, mood swings, and paranoia in people with schizophrenia.
Dr. Morton notes that combining aripiprazole and alcohol can also lead to additional adverse effects such as confusion, trouble concentrating, mood swings, or worsening anxiety or depression. “For younger people, the risk of suicidal thoughts may go up,” she says. “Add alcohol to the mix, and the chances of risky behavior or accidental injury rise significantly.”
Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?
While all people taking Abilify and drinking alcohol are at risk of adverse effects, there are certain groups that will be more vulnerable to danger. “Some people are at higher risk from the combo of aripiprazole and alcohol,” says Dr. Morton. They include people with:
History of alcohol use disorder or drug use
Decreased impulse control is a possible adverse effect of Abilify. This means people who have substance use disorders may be at an increased risk of alcohol abuse or consuming drugs while taking this medication, and if they do consume alcohol while taking aripiprazole, they may be more likely to drink too much. “For people who’ve struggled with substance use in the past, the combination can also increase the chance of relapse or missing doses of their medication,” says Dr. Morton.
Dementia symptoms
Older adults with dementia symptoms are generally advised not to take Abilify, as aripiprazole and other antipsychotics can increase the risk of stroke for this group. Taking aripiprazole can also increase the chance of death for older people. Consuming this medication along with alcohol, which also increases the chance of stroke, can be potentially deadly.
Liver problems
The body will need to work harder to process both aripiprazole and alcohol at the same time. If you already have liver problems, this will exacerbate the issue and have possible harmful side effects. “Aripiprazole isn’t known to be very toxic to the liver,” says Dr. Stacy. “Alcohol is, though. Really, any psychiatric medication increases the burden to a liver that’s already under stress.”
Other mental health prescriptions
Dr. Stacy says people with mood disorders and psychotic disorders are more likely to experience side effects from mixing Abilify with alcohol. “They can be more sensitive to changes in mood, cognition, and sedation. Alcohol can worsen all of those things,” says Dr. Stacy. Also, people already taking antidepressants may not be able to take Abilify because of how it interacts with their other medications.
“If you’re taking other medications that also slow down your nervous system—like sleep aids, opioids, or anti-anxiety meds—the danger is even greater,” says Dr. Morton. Speak with your healthcare provider for medical advice about other medications you are taking before starting Abilify.
How long after taking aripiprazole can you drink alcohol?
“This is where things get tricky,” says Dr. Morton. “Aripiprazole stays in your system for a long time—up to a week or more after just one dose. That means even a casual drink days later could still interact with the medication. To stay on the safe side, most experts recommend avoiding alcohol entirely while taking aripiprazole.”
However, if you are going to try having a drink or two while taking aripiprazole, there is not really a certain amount of time you need to wait. “There’s no specific waiting period because aripiprazole stays in your system for days,” notes Dr. Stacy. “But if you choose to drink, it’s safest to wait until you’re stable on your dose and know how the medication affects you.” Regardless, Dr. Stacy advises drinking in moderation while taking aripiprazole.
“A single dose can linger in your body for one to two weeks,” reiterates Dr. Morton. “That means your brain and liver are still dealing with the effects of the drug long after you’ve taken it—so mixing alcohol even days later can still pose risks.”
The half-life of aripiprazole is about 75 hours, so it would take about that long for the amount of aripiprazole in your system to be reduced by half. One dose of aripiprazole can stay in the body for as long as a week or more.
RELATED: How long does Abilify take to work?
While taking aripiprazole, it’s a good idea to avoid certain substances aside from alcohol. “Along with alcohol, it’s smart to steer clear of other substances that can affect your brain, like cannabis, opioids, or certain sleeping pills,” says Dr. Morton. “Be careful when driving or using machinery, especially when you’re still adjusting to the medication. Also, skip the grapefruit juice—it can interfere with how your body processes aripiprazole.” This is because grapefruit can make the body process aripiprazole more slowly, causing the drug to build up in the body at higher levels.
Which antipsychotics are not affected by alcohol?
There are no antipsychotic drugs that are compatible with alcohol consumption, as the side effects of this class of medication are similar to those of alcohol, which means combining the two can amplify those side effects.
“While some antipsychotics cause less drowsiness than others, none are completely safe to mix with alcohol,” cautions Dr. Morton. “Aripiprazole is actually one of the less sedating options, which is why it’s sometimes used for people with a history of substance use. Still, even in those cases, the recommendation remains the same: it’s best to avoid drinking.”
“I wouldn’t recommend choosing a mental health medication based on your preferred drinking patterns,” advises Dr. Stacy. “Rather, adjust your drinking to accommodate the medication regimen that best controls your mental health condition.”
The bottom line
“If you’re taking aripiprazole—or any antipsychotic—it’s safest to stay away from alcohol,” says Dr. Morton. “The potential side effects and health risks just aren’t worth it, especially if you have a history of mental health or substance use challenges. Staying sober while on these medications is the best way to protect your health and give the treatment a real chance to work.”
- Abilify (aripiprazole), Food and Drug Administration (2014)
- Aripiprazole, MedlinePlus (2025)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify), National Alliance on Mental Illness (2016)
- Aripiprazole provoking gambling disorder in a patient with opioid use disorder: A case report, Cureus (2024)
- Aripiprazole, American Journal of Health System Pharmacy (2003)