Aripiprazole once-monthly efficacy in patients with schizophrenia. Review

Abstract

Introduction

long acting injectable formulations of antipsychotics are a valuable option for patients with schizophrenia, offering continuous medication delivery and stable dosage levels. Aripiprazole once-monthly is the first dopamine partial agonist available in long acting formulation approved in Europe for Schizophrenia with excellent results so far.

Aims

to conduct a current review of articles related to the use and efficacy of Aripiprazole once monthly in patients with Schizophrenia.

Methods

systematic review of the literature in English using the following keywords: “aripiprazole once-monthly”, “aripiprazole long acting formulation”, “schizophrenia”. PubMed database.

Results

Aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) formulation efficacy has been proven in many studies. The importance of maintaining an oral overlap during 14 days is highlighted in all studies that have been reviewed in order to reach therapeutic level; therefore, it can be used in patients with acute decompensations. Recent studies comparing AOM versus Paliperidone Palmitate once monthly (PP) have shown that patients with AOM had greater clinical improvement and, even though both drugs were well tolerated, when Quality of Life Style Scale was analyzed an important improvement in empathy, sense of purpose, emotional interaction and curiosity in the AOM group was observed.

Conclusions

long acting injectable antipsychotics increase long-term adherence treatment and reduce risk of relapse. Because of its unique mechanism of action, Aripiprazole once-monthly improves positive and negative symptoms, giving the patient an opportunity to have a better quality of life.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.