Serum Level Measurements Optimize Aripriprazole Treatment in Adolescent Patients.

21 minors suffering from first-episode psychosis or related disorders were treated with the second-generation antipsychotic aripriprazole with serum levels being monitored over time. A significant variation of serum levels was observed in about half of the patients. Patients from Africa showed high levels of aripriprazole. In seven patients, i. e. ca. 35 % of the sample, aripriprazole treatment had to be stopped for various reasons. Therefore, serum levels of this antipsychotic (which in Germany is still considered off-label treatment before the age of 18) should be regularly monitored particularly in patients from Africa.