From the Guidelines
The oral equivalent dose of 400 mg intramuscular (IM) Abilify (aripiprazole) is approximately 300 mg taken orally, as the oral bioavailability is lower compared to IM administration. To switch from the 400 mg IM injection to oral administration:
- Start with 300 mg oral Abilify daily
- Take the oral dose at the same time each day
- Monitor for side effects and efficacy over the first few weeks It's essential to note that the transition should be supervised by a healthcare provider, as they may adjust the dose based on individual patient response and tolerability, considering factors such as age, renal function, and cytochrome P450 2D6 metabolism 1. The difference in dosing is due to the bioavailability of oral versus intramuscular administration, with IM injections typically having higher bioavailability as they bypass first-pass metabolism in the liver 1. Patients should be aware that it may take several days to reach steady-state levels when switching to oral medication, and they should report any changes in symptoms or side effects to their healthcare provider promptly, especially considering the potential for headache, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, and drowsiness associated with aripiprazole use 1.
From the Research
Oral Equivalent of 400mg Aripiprazole Administered Intramuscularly
The oral equivalent of 400mg of Aripiprazole (Abilify) administered intramuscularly (IM) can be determined based on the pharmacokinetic data provided in the studies.
- The study 2 states that the plasma concentration profile of aripiprazole after initiating AOM 400 was consistent with therapeutic concentrations observed with oral aripiprazole 10 to 30 mg/d.
- This suggests that 400mg of Aripiprazole administered IM is equivalent to 10-30mg of oral Aripiprazole per day.
Key Points
- The oral equivalent of 400mg IM Aripiprazole is 10-30mg oral Aripiprazole per day 2.
- The pharmacokinetic profile of Aripiprazole after IM administration is consistent with therapeutic concentrations observed with oral Aripiprazole 2.
- The studies 3, 4, 5, and 6 provide additional information on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Aripiprazole, but do not directly address the oral equivalent of 400mg IM Aripiprazole.