Is long-acting injectable aripiprazole useful for the treatment of acute exacerbation of schizophrenia?

ABSTRACT FROM: Meltzer HY, Risinger R, Nasrallah HA, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aripiprazole lauroxil in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry 2015;76:1085–90. What is already known on this topic? Depot antipsychotics may increase adherence to medication, reducing recurrence and rehospitalisation in schizophrenia.1 Aripiprazole lauroxil, a novel lipid ester prodrug of aripiprazole, is a long-acting injection (LAI) administered intramuscularly. After injection, it is metabolised by esterases to N-hydroxymethyl aripiprazole and then hydrolysed to aripiprazole. The available doses are 441, 662 and 882 mg every 4–6 weeks, corresponding to oral aripiprazole doses of 10, 15 and 20 mg/day or higher, respectively (those features add some flexibility to previously available formulations of aripiprazole LAI). Results from phase I studies about aripiprazole lauroxil were positive.2 Methods of the study This international multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from December 2011 to March 2014...

Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - October 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Takekita, Y., Serretti, A. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research