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Key takeaways
Aripiprazole (generic Abilify) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, autism spectrum disorders, Tourette syndrome, and as an add-on treatment for depression.
Aripiprazole may be covered by commercial, Medicare, or Medicaid plans, but coverage varies by plan.
Using the SingleCare discount coupon, you can get aripiprazole for $16 for 30, 5 mg tablets, which is significantly lower than the average retail price of $913 for the same quantity.
Alternatives to aripiprazole include olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone.
Aripiprazole (generic for the brand-name drug Abilify) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, autism spectrum disorders, Tourette syndrome, and as an add-on treatment for depression. It belongs to the class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics, also known as second-generation antipsychotics, which work by regulating the chemical messengers in your brain, that is, the levels of dopamine and serotonin.
“I usually prescribe this medicine as an adjunct treatment for depression in someone already taking an antidepressant. It is also used for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia because it is an antipsychotic,” says Julian Lagoy, MD, board-certified psychiatrist with Mindpath Health based in San Jose, CA.
Without insurance or discounts, prescription drugs such as aripiprazole are expensive, and it’s well documented that high drug costs affect medication adherence, often leading to worse health outcomes for patients, according to a survey by Kaiser Family Foundation. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on aripiprazole. This article provides six aripiprazole savings tips to help you afford your medication without breaking a sweat.
How much does aripiprazole cost?
The average retail price for aripiprazole is $913 for 30, 5 mg tablets. However, pricing varies depending on form, strength, quantity, insurance coverage, pharmacy used, and location.
Aripiprazole is typically covered by commercial, Medicare, or Medicaid plans, but coverage varies by plan. Consult with your insurance provider for more information on deductibles, co-pays, premiums, and other details about your coverage.
People covered by Medicare need a Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug benefits to pay for aripiprazole. Medicaid coverage, however, varies by state, as each state has its own policies for prescription drug coverage.
Additionally, certain plans may require your doctor to obtain prior authorization before it covers aripiprazole—and commercial insurance plans often enforce quantity limits on the amount of the drug covered over a certain period. As such, the person may pay out of pocket for aripiprazole if they need additional supplies beyond the limit.
The good news is that with the SingleCare free-to-use prescription discount card, you can get aripiprazole at significantly lower prices in your local pharmacies—$16 for 30, 5 mg tablets at participating pharmacies.
Can I get aripiprazole for free?
A person may get certain types of injectable, long-acting Abilify (brand-name aripiprazole) for free through the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation (OPAF).
According to OPAF, people who are uninsured, underinsured, or have access barriers may submit an application with their healthcare provider—including documents showing proof of household gross income—via the OPAF care portal to check their eligibility. If eligible, you may receive injectable Abilify at no cost through the OPAF program.
How to save money on aripiprazole
Here are options to consider for aripiprazole savings.
1. Use the SingleCare savings program
With the SingleCare discount coupon, you can get aripiprazole for $16 for 30, 5mg tablets, significantly lower than the retail price of $913 for the same quantity. Keep in mind that SingleCare prices vary depending on quantity, strength, form, and pharmacy. Enter your zip code on the SingleCare website or app to compare aripiprazole prices at participating pharmacies near you. SingleCare savings cards can be used in over 35,000 pharmacies.
2. Check for patient assistance programs
Some pharmaceutical manufacturers provide financial assistance to help people without health insurance and those within the low-income bracket access their prescription drugs. For instance, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., through the OPAF program, provides Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) extended-release injectable suspension and Abilify Asimtufii (aripiprazole) extended-release injectable suspension for eligible patients at no cost. The caveat is that you need to submit an application and may or may not meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Ask the pharmacist about a volume discount
Discuss with your healthcare provider about getting a 90-day supply of the medication. Some pharmacies will reduce the price of aripiprazole when purchasing a large quantity.
4. Compare prices
Whether independent, chain, or mail-order pharmacy, the prices are never the same. For a good bargain, call different pharmacies, ask about prices for aripiprazole, and choose the best price. To make it easier, use SingleCare’s drug lookup tool to search for aripiprazole and compare prices near you.
5. Use a licensed mail-order pharmacy
Mail-order pharmacies are cheaper alternatives for ordering medications by mail or online and having them delivered at home. If your insurance provider encourages mail-order, you can get a 90-day supply of mail-order aripiprazole at a much-reduced price.
6. Discuss saving options with a healthcare professional
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may advise you on available savings options that can help you afford your medication or recommend safe and effective alternatives to aripiprazole.
Is there a cheaper alternative to aripiprazole?
If you can’t afford aripiprazole and none of the above suggestions for saving work, you may consider cheaper alternatives. Discuss this with your healthcare provider so they can recommend low-cost substitutes that will be just as effective.
“Quite frankly, there is not a cheaper alternative to aripiprazole, considering it is one of the only antipsychotics that functions as a dopamine receptor partial agonist, meaning it binds to dopamine receptors in the brain and activates them. But it only produces a partial response compared to our brain’s natural dopamine supply,” says Paul Pastolero, MD, a psychiatrist with Salience Health, providing adolescent and adult psychiatry in Frisco, Allen, and McKinney, TX.
However, he says that alternatives would vary from patient to patient depending on the condition being treated. “For augmentation of major depressive disorder, cost-friendly alternatives such as bupropion could be considered,” Dr. Pastolero says. “Other antipsychotics, like quetiapine, risperidone, or olanzapine, are also potential alternative antipsychotics, but their side effect profile—such as weight gain, high blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia—would often make them less desirable.”
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price for generic equivalent | Coupons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bupropion XL | $146 for 30, 300 mg tablets | $12 for 30, 300 mg tablets of bupropion XL | Bupropion XL coupon |
| Olanzapine | $307 for 30, 5 mg tablets of olanzapine | $12 for 30, 5 mg tablets of olanzapine | Olanzanpine coupon |
| Quetiapine | $126 for 30, 25 mg tablets of quetiapine | $7 for 30, 25 mg tablets of quetiapine | Quetiapine coupon |
| Risperidone | $131 for 30, 1 mg tablets of risperidone | $4 for 30, 1 mg tablets of risperidone | Risperidone coupon |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Coupons” to see the latest drug prices.
Do not change a prescription without a go-ahead from the healthcare provider. Only a healthcare provider can provide medical advice on safe and appropriate alternatives for you and your diagnosis. Additionally, if your healthcare provider recommends changing your medicine, they will have to guide you on how to switch from one medication to the other.
Aripiprazole comes with a boxed warning and important safety information. Older adults with dementia-related psychosis have a higher risk of death when taking an antipsychotic drug. Therefore, aripiprazole should not be used in people with dementia-related psychosis. Additionally, as with all drugs that can be used to treat depression, aripiprazole has a warning about increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Common side effects associated with aripiprazole include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Headache
- Blurry vision
- Upper respiratory illness
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Restlessness
- Movement problems
Here is a list of possible serious side effects associated with aripiprazole, which require medical attention. Your healthcare provider can give you more information on what side effects to look for and what to do if you experience them.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics and symptoms include high fever, confusion, excessive sweating, changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure, and stiff muscles)
- Increased risk of stroke
- Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia)
- Low white blood cell count
- Metabolic disorders (high blood sugar/hyperglycemia, weight gain, high cholesterol levels)
- Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness and a drop in blood pressure when you stand up too quickly)
- Seizures
- Compulsive urges such as shopping, gambling, sexual urges, and binge eating
- Problems swallowing
- Sleepiness, drowsiness, and tiredness
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Falls
Consult your healthcare provider for medical advice on your condition and treatment.
- Julian Lagoy, MD, board-certified psychiatrist with Mindpath Health
- Public opinion on prescription drugs and their prices, Kaiser Family Foundation (2024)
- Otsuka patient assistance foundation, Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc (2024)
- Possible side effects of Abilify Asimtufii, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc (2024)
- MedWatch: the FDA safety information and adverse event reporting program, FDA
- Abilify maintena: highlights of prescribing information, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Co. (2023)
- Abilify asmtufii:highlights of prescribing information, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Co. (2023)