The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it approved the first copycat versions of Otsuka Pharmaceutical's antipsychotic drug, Abilify.

The FDA said it had granted approval for generic versions of Abilify from four companies, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, to treat mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Abilify has an orphan drug designation for the treatment of Tourette's syndrome, a nervous system disorder, in children.

The drug, which is also approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, went off patent protection for these indications this month.