Two medicines, side by side
Aripiprazole vs lithium
Aripiprazole and lithium are both labeled for bipolar disorder. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aripiprazole since 2002 and of lithium since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.110 per aripiprazole 5 mg tablet and $0.104 per lithium carbonate 300 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and lithium a mood stabilizer.
Check it at the source: the aripiprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2025); the lithium FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 23, 2025).
Highlights of the aripiprazole record
Aripiprazole (Abilify) · label of January 29, 2025
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS WITH ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. ABILIFY is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsABILIFY (aripiprazole) Tablets are indicated for the treatment of: Schizophrenia Acute Treatment of Manic and Mixed Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Treatment of Tourette's Disorder ABILIFY is an atypical antipsychotic. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.110 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 25
Highlights of the lithium record
Lithium (Lithobid) · label of December 23, 2025
LITHIUM TOXICITY Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium concentrations, and can occur at doses close to therapeutic concentrations. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating treatment [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. WARNING: LITHIUM TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsLithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older [see Clinical Studies (14)] Lithium is a mood-stabilizing agent indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I disorder: • Treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes in patients 7 years and older ( 1 ) • Maintenance treatment in patients 7 years and older […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 6, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.104 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Aripiprazole label of January 29, 2025, Lithium label of December 23, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do aripiprazole and lithium differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and lithium a mood stabilizer.
How each works, in its label's words: Aripiprazole, “The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear.”; Lithium, “The mechanism of action of lithium as a mood stabilizing agent is unknown.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Aripiprazole, “For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, the mean elimination half-life for aripiprazole is about 146 hours.”; Lithium, “The elimination half-life of lithium is approximately 18 to 36 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: aripiprazole since 2015; lithium since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Aripiprazole | Lithium | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia | Bipolar disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | Atypical Antipsychotic | Mood Stabilizer |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear. | The mechanism of action of lithium as a mood stabilizing agent is unknown. |
| Half-life (label) | For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, the mean elimination half-life for aripiprazole is about 146 hours. | The elimination half-life of lithium is approximately 18 to 36 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 15, 2002 | April 6, 1970 |
| First generic approved | April 28, 2015 | May 21, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.110 per tablet (Aripiprazole 5 mg tablet) | $0.104 per capsule (Lithium carbonate 300 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 25 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 121,736 | 41,678 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Aripiprazole label, drug interactionsInteractions with ABILIFY Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment of ABILIFY is required when administered concomitantly with famotidine, valproate, lithium, and lorazepam.
Aripiprazole label, drug interactionsInteractions with ABILIFY MAINTENA Based on pharmacokinetic studies with oral aripiprazole, no dosage adjustment of ABILIFY MAINTENA is required when administered concomitantly with famotidine, valproate, lithium, lorazepam [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Lithium label, warnings and precautionsIf concomitant use of lithium with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to aripiprazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions