As a caregiver,
I’m NEVER giving up on us

PAM: Dorian growing up—he was always caring, energetic, always up and down the court with his friends—on his bike, with a football in hand. Dorian has always been stubborn. He has always been strong-willed. It’s part of him. Dorian was always a great kid and still is. I never noticed anything was off with Dorian when he was younger. Now that I look back, there probably was some little things that were off. It wasn’t until his freshman year of college that I started noticing he was really having issues. He wouldn’t communicate the way he would. He would look right at me, and I would say, “Could you do x, y and z,” and he would forget. His coaches and teachers noticed something wasn’t right as well. There was one particular time that Darian, who is Dorian’s younger brother, called me at work saying, could I come home, because Dorian was outside yelling at the mailbox and yelling at the sun saying that it was speaking to him. And I’m like, something isn’t right. I started thinking he was using drugs. So, the next step we did, because Dorian was still having symptoms—we were going to a therapist. The therapist pulled me aside after meeting with Dorian and said he thought Dorian was showing signs of schizophrenia. What do you do with that? How do you move forward? All the things that you want in life for your kids—is hampered. What do you tell your son? He knows life is different, but what do you tell him? And then doing it all by yourself. People say they understand, but they don’t. They don’t live it. We made an appointment to see a psychiatrist. The appointment was maybe a month away, but his symptoms are getting louder—they’re advancing. We finally decided to go to the hospital. After Dorian was in the hospital for several weeks and seeing a psychiatrist several times—and discussing his symptoms with the psychiatrist, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After getting the diagnosis for Dorian having schizophrenia, I couldn’t be in denial. If I’m in denial, I can’t get him help. I did a lot of research. I start using the internet, just trying to figure out therapy. How could he live? What do we do? I personally started going to support groups via NAMI. I started sitting in and asking questions from other parents and other caregivers. I also started going to therapy myself. I wanted to be in the best state of mind so I can help my son. I have to take care of myself mentally, just to be able to take care of Dorian. It’s a lot. He requires a lot. It was very important to me, after doing my research—for me to find the right treatment for Dorian. Dorian tried out a couple of treatments, but he was having some side effects. So we talked to his doctor about the possibility of adjusting things. Dorian’s doctor presented us with the possibility of a treatment plan with ARISTADA. He told us that ARISTADA was an injection instead of a pill. So we talked about the risks and the benefits of Dorian trying ARISTADA, and we decided to give it a try.

NARRATOR: ARISTADA INITIO^® (aripiprazole lauroxil) and ARISTADA^® (aripiprazole lauroxil) may not be right for everyone.

ARISTADA INITIO (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

ARISTADA (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.

It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).

Before you start treatment with ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever taken Abilify^®, Abilify Maintena^®, or any aripiprazole product before. People who are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA should not receive ARISTADA. People must first tolerate oral aripiprazole before receiving ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA.

The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.

When starting ARISTADA, you may receive a one-time injection called ARISTADA INITIO along with 30 mg of oral aripiprazole. In some cases, your doctor will have you start with 21 days of oral aripiprazole if ARISTADA INITIO is not right for you.

Please watch the additional Important Safety Information contained in this video.

PAM: I really like havin’ ARISTADA as an injection. I like havin’ that option. It’s nice that Dorian doesn’t have to take a daily pill to treat his schizophrenia. The doctor told us that it’s important that Dorian stays on track with his shots. He told us that if Dorian missed an injection appointment, we need to contact him right away. Since receiving ARISTADA, I’ve seen Dorian’s schizophrenia symptoms get better. Keep in mind, this is Dorian’s experience, and yours may be different. Dorian is still going group. He’s still seeing a therapist; he’s still seeing his psychiatrist. Sometimes Dorian and I do have group therapy together, only because I’m a lot! Only because he’s a lot sometimes. So, we do talk through our issues, we talk through our feelings, and it does help. I think Dorian is enjoying his life. He has hobbies that he keeps up with, and he’s doing well. I’m really proud of him. The most important thing that I found through this whole journey, is that I’m way tougher than what I thought. Being a caregiver is not easy. Some days could still be really tough. Sometimes I could still feel really defeated, but you still move on. I’ve had to make some adjustments in life. I still find time to go on a trip, whether it’s with Dorian or just by myself—with my friends. You have to make time for yourself. If you don’t make time for yourself, you feel like you’re spinning. You have to figure out balance, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your therapist, find that support system—seek help, and you gotta keep moving on—you can’t stop.

NARRATOR: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).

Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:

• Cerebrovascular problems (including stroke) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS:
  • high fever
  • stiff muscles
  • confusion
  • sweating
  • changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop receiving ARISTADA. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop receiving ARISTADA.
• Problems with your metabolism such as:
  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA and during your treatment with ARISTADA.
    • Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar:
      • feel very thirsty
      • need to urinate more than usual
      • feel very hungry
      • feel weak or tired
      • feel sick to your stomach
      • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity
  • Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood
  • Weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly.
• Unusual and uncontrollable (compulsive) urges. Some people taking aripiprazole have had strong unusual urges such as gambling that cannot be controlled (compulsive gambling). Other compulsive urges include sexual urges, shopping, and eating or binge eating. If you or your family members notice that you are having unusual strong urges, talk to your healthcare provider.
• Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
• Falls. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may make you sleepy or dizzy when standing which may make you at risk for falls and related injuries.
• Low white blood cell count
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Problems controlling your body temperature. Avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
• Difficulty swallowing

The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.

Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.

Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have not taken Abilify^®, Abilify Maintena^®, or any aripiprazole product before
• have or had heart problems or a stroke
• have diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA and during your treatment with ARISTADA
• have or had low or high blood pressure
• have or had seizures (convulsions)
• have or had a low white blood cell count
• have problems that may affect you receiving an injection in your buttocks or your arm
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388, or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA can pass into your breast milk. It is not known if it may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.

If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA at www.ARISTADA.com.