Aristada Administration Frequency
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is administered as a long-acting injectable with flexible dosing intervals: monthly (every 4 weeks), every 6 weeks, or every 8 weeks, depending on the specific dose formulation selected. 1
Available Dosing Schedules
Monthly administration (every 4 weeks) is available across multiple dose strengths, providing the most frequent dosing option for patients requiring closer monitoring or higher effective doses 1
Every 6-week dosing represents a unique middle-ground option that Aristada offers, allowing for less frequent injections than monthly formulations while maintaining therapeutic coverage 1
Every 8-week dosing provides the longest interval between injections, maximizing convenience for stable patients, though this requires careful dose selection to maintain efficacy 1
Critical Implementation Requirements
Oral aripiprazole supplementation is mandatory for the first 21 days after the initial Aristada injection, which represents a significant disadvantage compared to some other long-acting injectable antipsychotics 1
The 21-day oral overlap period ensures adequate antipsychotic coverage while the long-acting formulation reaches therapeutic plasma concentrations 1
Formulation and Administration Details
Aristada is supplied as a single-use, pre-filled syringe in three different starting dosages, simplifying the administration process 1
The extended-release injectable suspension allows for intramuscular administration with sustained drug release over the designated dosing interval 1
Common Pitfall to Avoid
- Failure to provide the 21-day oral aripiprazole overlap will result in subtherapeutic antipsychotic coverage and increased risk of symptom exacerbation or relapse during the initial treatment phase 1