To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety profile of aripiprazole for the treatment of schizophrenia.
DATA SOURCES:
Information was selected from MEDLINE (1995–August 2002). Abstracts, scientific posters, and presentations were also used.
STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION:
All published information regarding the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical characteristics of aripiprazole was considered. Studies providing a comprehensive description of aripiprazole were selected.
DATA SYNTHESIS:
Aripiprazole is a dopamine partial agonist and a serotonin-2A antagonist; it is dosed 10–30 mg/d, with no initial titration necessary. Short-term clinical trials demonstrated efficacy in acute exacerbations, and long-term studies showed that aripiprazole can maintain remission of schizophrenia. Most adverse events were mild. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was low, with akathisia being the most common.
CONCLUSIONS:
Aripiprazole currently demonstrates comparable efficacy and safety for use in schizophrenia.
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