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Why should you take aripiprazole in the morning?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 16, 2022.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Aripiprazole is one of those medications that can cause sleepiness in some people and insomnia (an inability to get to sleep) in others. Aripiprazole should be preferably taken in the morning, especially if it keeps you awake at night. Research also suggests taking it at night may antagonize D2 dopamine receptors and disrupt 24h rhythms in insulin release, possibly exacerbating metabolic dysfunction. In one study of 143 people (90 of whom took aripiprazole in the morning and 53 who took it at night) reported:

  • A significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) in those who took aripiprazole at night but no change in those who took it in the morning
  • A non-significant trend toward higher serum triglycerides in those who took aripiprazole at night
  • No difference in HbA1c, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or blood pressure.


The most important thing is to take your aripiprazole. If it makes you sleepy or you are more likely to remember to take it, take it at night.

References
  • Takaki M. Aripiprazole as Monotherapy at Bedtime Was Effective for Treatment of Two Cases of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Insomnia. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinicl Neurosciences. 2014 (26):3 https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.13100245
  • Danielle A. Chipchura1, Zachary Freyberg2, Corey Edwards1, Susan G. Leckband1 and Michael J. McCarthy1,3. Does the Time of Drug Administration Alter the Metabolic Risk of Aripiprazole? Front. Psychiatry, 11 October 2018 Sec. Psychological Therapy and Psychosomatics https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00494

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