From the Guidelines
Abilify (aripiprazole) is a recommended treatment option for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and as an add-on treatment for depression, due to its unique mechanism of action and relatively favorable side effect profile compared to other antipsychotics. The typical starting dose for adults with schizophrenia is 10-15 mg once daily, while for bipolar disorder it's usually 15 mg daily. When used as an adjunctive treatment for depression, the starting dose is often lower at 2-5 mg daily. Abilify works differently from other antipsychotics as it acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors rather than blocking them completely, which helps stabilize dopamine activity in the brain. This unique mechanism often results in fewer side effects compared to older antipsychotics. Common side effects include weight gain (though typically less than with other antipsychotics), restlessness, insomnia, headache, and nausea. Abilify is available in tablet, oral solution, and injectable forms, allowing for flexibility in administration. Patients should take this medication regularly as prescribed and not stop abruptly without medical supervision, as this could lead to withdrawal symptoms or worsening of the underlying condition.
Some key points to consider when prescribing Abilify include:
- It is generally well-tolerated, with a lower risk of weight gain and metabolic side effects compared to other atypical antipsychotics 1
- It has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and as an add-on treatment for depression 1
- It can be used in combination with other medications, such as mood stabilizers or antidepressants, to achieve optimal treatment outcomes 1
- However, antipsychotic polypharmacy, including the use of Abilify in combination with other antipsychotics, should be approached with caution and only considered when monotherapy has failed 1
Overall, Abilify is a valuable treatment option for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, and its unique mechanism of action and relatively favorable side effect profile make it a popular choice among clinicians.
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 superior to placebo in the PANSS total score. In adult patients, aripiprazole was superior to placebo on time to the number of combined affective relapses (manic plus depressive) 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, 5, 6.
- It is known for its efficacy in improving positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia with a favorable adverse-effect profile 4, 5.
Efficacy in Bipolar Disorder
- Aripiprazole is recommended as a first-line therapy for bipolar disorder, either as monotherapy or in combination with mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate 3, 6.
- It has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of recurrence of any mood episode, depressive episode, and manic/hypomanic/mixed episode in patients with bipolar disorder 6.
Safety Profile
- Aripiprazole has a better safety profile compared to some other antipsychotic medications, with lower risks of weight gain, metabolic changes, and extrapyramidal side effects 4, 5, 6.
- However, common adverse effects associated with aripiprazole include nausea, insomnia, agitation, and akathisia, which are usually transient 4, 5.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- Aripiprazole has been compared to other antipsychotic medications, including quetiapine, olanzapine, and risperidone, and has been found to have a similar efficacy profile with a better safety profile in some cases 5, 6.
- Quetiapine, another atypical antipsychotic, has been shown to be effective in treating acute bipolar depression, either as monotherapy or in combination with mood stabilizers 7.