Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Aripiprazole(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Aripiprazole
Abilify
Second-Generation Antipsychotic (Partial D2 Agonist)
FDA-approved indications
- Schizophrenia (adults; adolescents 13+)
- Irritability associated with autistic disorder (6–17 years)
- Tourette's disorder (6–18 years)
Off-label uses
- Bipolar depression (adjunct)
- Tic disorders
- Agitation in dementia
MechanismAtypical Antipsychotic
Half-life75 hours (dehydro-aripiprazole: 94 hours)
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Aripiprazole
Consider when
- Hyperprolactinemia concern — only SGA that lowers prolactin; can reverse galactorrhea/amenorrhea from prior antipsychotic
- Metabolic-sparing antipsychotic needed — lowest BMI change (+0.22 kg/m²) and near-placebo glucose/lipid effects in Huhn 2019 NMA
- Pediatric autism irritability (6–17) or Tourette disorder — FDA-approved both; one of only two SGAs with pediatric autism indication
- LAI for long-term adherence — monthly Maintena or 2-monthly Asimtufii; broadest LAI option set among partial agonists
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- History of pathological gambling, hypersexuality, or impulse-control disorder — partial D2 agonism carries unique compulsive behavior risk
- Akathisia is poorly tolerated — Huhn 2019 RR ~1.95 (mid-to-high among SGAs); akathisia is leading discontinuation cause
- Restlessness, insomnia, or anxiety worsens with activation — partial-agonist activation profile worse than quetiapine/olanzapine
- Severe acute psychosis requiring rapid sedation — partial agonist may have slower onset; olanzapine IM or haloperidol IM preferred
- +1 more
| Axis | Aripiprazole SGA |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Suicidality (boxed warning) | |
Agranulocytosis / severe neutropenia | |
Cerebrovascular events (elderly w/ dementia) | |
Impulse-control / pathological gambling | |
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Tardive dyskinesia | |
Seizure risk | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight gain | |
Metabolic (glucose / lipids) | |
| Endocrine | |
Prolactin elevation | |
| Autonomic | |
Anticholinergic burden | |
Orthostatic hypotension | |
| Cardiac | |
QTc prolongation | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Interactions | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Pregnancy | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |