Aripiprazole is a dopamine system stabilizer that can bidirectionally regulate abnormal dopamine functions, whether excessive or diminished.
Aripiprazole partially agonizes dopamine D2 receptors, partially agonizes 5-HT1A receptors, and partially antagonizes 5-HT2A receptors. It is used to treat psychiatric and mood disorders such as schizophrenia. In treating childhood tic disorders, aripiprazole's efficacy and side effects are similar to sulpiride but with a quicker onset of action.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, weight gain, and akathisia. It does not typically cause extrapyramidal symptoms or sedation, and its adverse effects are generally mild.