AcceptIng my schizophrenia diagnosis was very important

JULIAN: Every day, all day I work with computers. I usually get hundreds of computers. If there’s a problem with the computer, we try to fix the computer. I would hope to go back to school and finish my degree in information technology. I wasn’t able to finish college because it turns out I needed to be fixed myself. I started to have problems when I couldn’t concentrate. Like, I would have like rapid thoughts. I would like be like anxious or stressed, and I would be angry, like I got real angry.

JOSE: Julian’s mother and I split up when he was around five, and he lived with his mom for most of his life—till his early twenties. He came to live with my sister and I, and he enrolled in college here. I started noticing a difference in his behavior—around a few months after he got into college. There was something different in his eyes.

JULIAN: I really didn’t have an idea what was going on with me. The paranoia got worse and worse. And then after a while, I started seeing things and hearing things. I was feeling like rage. I told my aunt that I was feeling aggravated, and after that she said I should go to the hospital. I went to the hospital and they evaluated me. They gave me some medication. They released me, but my symptoms just kept getting worse and worse. Sometimes I would wake up and like see things, like geometric shapes and stuff— like in the floor or like in the wall. And I also had like an episode when I was— there was a fire extinguisher, and then I started seeing like the bull and the eagle, and I got angry. So, I started to write the bad thoughts that I was having in my journal.

JOSE: He ended up giving my sister a journal for her to read to see what she thought of it, and it was very concerning for her. There was one incident—it was violent. He ended up breaking my nephew’s guitar on the concrete—just smashing it. We didn’t know what to do.

JULIAN: The next day we went to the hospital. After evaluating me throughout the week and discussing all my symptoms, the doctor said that I have schizophrenia. I was in denial for a while.

JOSE: The accepting part was very difficult for him. He was fighting it for a long time, and he did not want to take medicine. Until one day, we’re driving in the car, and I think he was planning on moving. And I told him, “Julian, you can run all you want, but you can’t run away from your mind.”

JULIAN: I couldn’t deny it anymore. I knew I needed help. So, I started reading about schizophrenia online. I tried a couple different treatments, and then my doctor introduced me to ARISTADA. She said that ARISTADA is an injection I had the option to get at her office every 2 months. She said it may help me with my symptoms. After talking about the benefits and the risks, I decided to try it out.

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

ARISTADA INITIO 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 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.

JULIAN: I am doing well on ARISTADA. My schizophrenia symptoms have improved. And I feel lucky to have support from my dad and my aunt. I really like that ARISTADA is an injection. I don’t have to remember to take pills every day. I know that this is an ongoing process, so I’m continuing to work with my healthcare team and my doctor. I’m continuing to work with computers, and I enjoy my job. I try to hang out with my coworkers and not isolate myself. We just go to the movies and just hang out at their houses and stuff. I go to support group every third Monday. It’s helpful to hear the stories. It’s like kind of knowing that you’re not alone out there.

JOSE: He’s working with his doctor and he is staying on top of his treatments. I’m extremely proud of Julian. It’s just to see him smile and enjoy himself and be around people and see the Julian that I see, it’s really great. I’m happy for him. My advice to anybody going through this is just be there when they need you. Just have to be very patient with the person you’re trying to help.

JULIAN: For me, accepting my diagnosis was very important because I could move forward. It was kind of hard for me to open up to people at first about my condition. But when I did, I felt better. I wanna move forward and continue my education in cyber security, and I hope to advance my career. I feel hopeful about my future.

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.