Can Abilify Tablets Be Split?
Yes, Abilify (aripiprazole) tablets can be split, and this practice has been demonstrated to be both safe and cost-effective in clinical settings. 1
Evidence Supporting Tablet Splitting
Aripiprazole is considered an optimal agent for tablet splitting based on clinical experience and published cost-savings analyses. 1
A retrospective analysis of an antipsychotic tablet-splitting program demonstrated that splitting aripiprazole tablets resulted in 30-50% annual cost savings without compromising clinical outcomes. 1
The mechanism of action of aripiprazole as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors suggests that small weight deviations from splitting are unlikely to be clinically significant. 1, 2
Practical Considerations
When prescribing split tablets, assess the patient's ability and willingness to split tablets properly, as not all patients—particularly elderly individuals—are capable of breaking tablets accurately. 3
Provide clear instructions on appropriate splitting technique and consider recommending a tablet-splitting device to ensure consistent dosing. 3
The identical pricing structure across different aripiprazole tablet strengths makes splitting higher-strength tablets economically advantageous without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy. 1
Important Caveats
This recommendation applies specifically to standard immediate-release aripiprazole tablets. For patients with swallowing difficulties, alternative formulations (such as orally disintegrating tablets or liquid formulations) should be considered rather than splitting tablets. 4
Ensure tablets are scored appropriately—while aripiprazole tablets are suitable for splitting, the general principle is that unscored tablets or those with enteric/modified-release coatings should never be split. 3, 5, 6
Document the splitting practice in the patient's medication regimen to maintain continuity of care and prevent medication errors. 5