From the Guidelines
Abilify (aripiprazole) is a suitable treatment option for bipolar disorder, with a typical starting dose of 15 mg daily, and it has a relatively lower risk of weight gain compared to other antipsychotics, as noted in studies such as 1 and 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Abilify works as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors, which helps balance dopamine activity in the brain and may result in fewer side effects compared to older antipsychotics.
- Common side effects include weight gain, restlessness, insomnia, headache, and nausea, but the weight gain is generally less than with some other antipsychotics, as seen in 1.
- Patients should be aware that Abilify can take several weeks to reach its full therapeutic effect, and medication should never be stopped abruptly without medical supervision.
- Regular monitoring for metabolic changes, movement disorders, and other potential side effects is important while taking this medication, as emphasized in 1.
Important Considerations for Treatment
- The choice of agent must still be guided by best practice for the individual patient’s circumstance, considering factors such as the presence of comorbid conditions like ADHD or substance abuse.
- For patients with clearly defined bipolar disorder, stimulant medications may be helpful for addressing ADHD symptoms once the patient’s mood symptoms are adequately controlled on a mood stabilizer regimen, as suggested in 1.
- It is crucial to weigh the benefits and risks of treatment, especially considering the potential for weight gain and metabolic changes associated with antipsychotic use, as discussed in 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Patients receiving aripiprazole tablets 15 mg/day experienced a significantly longer time to relapse over the subsequent 26 weeks compared to those receiving placebo (Study 5 in Figure 6) The efficacy of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia in pediatric patients (13 to 17 years of age) was evaluated in one 6-week, placebo-controlled trial of outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and had a PANSS score ≥70 at baseline A maintenance trial was conducted in adult patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar I disorder with a recent manic or mixed episode who had been stabilized on open-label aripiprazole and who had maintained a clinical response for at least 6 weeks Aripiprazole oral tablets are indicated for the treatment of: • Schizophrenia [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1)]
Abilify (Aripiprazole) is used for the treatment of:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I Disorder The dosage of aripiprazole ranges from 2 mg/day to 30 mg/day. In pediatric patients (13-17 years), aripiprazole was evaluated in a 6-week trial with doses of 10 mg/day and 30 mg/day. In adult patients, aripiprazole was evaluated in several trials with doses ranging from 2 mg/day to 30 mg/day 2. Aripiprazole is also indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia [see Clinical Studies (2)].
From the Research
Abilify (Aripiprazole) Overview
- Abilify, also known as aripiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat various mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia 3, 4.
- It is often prescribed as part of a treatment plan that includes mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproate, and lamotrigine, to manage symptoms of bipolar disorder 3.
Efficacy and Safety of Aripiprazole
- Studies have shown that aripiprazole is effective in treating schizophrenia, with efficacy similar to that of other antipsychotic drugs, but with a better safety profile in terms of weight gain and metabolic changes 4.
- Aripiprazole has also been found to be effective in treating bipolar disorder, particularly in preventing manic and hypomanic episodes, and has a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects compared to other antipsychotic medications 5.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that aripiprazole, along with other atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine and olanzapine, was effective in treating acute bipolar depression, with a significant improvement in depression scores compared to placebo 6.
- Another study found that aripiprazole, as an augmentation agent, was effective in treating treatment-resistant major depression, with a significant response and remission rate compared to placebo 7.
Side Effects and Safety Profile
- Common side effects of aripiprazole include extrapyramidal side effects, sedation, somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, dry mouth, increased appetite, and weight gain 4, 6.
- Aripiprazole has a lower risk of metabolic changes, such as weight gain and alterations in glucose and cholesterol levels, compared to other antipsychotic medications 4.