An open-label, positron emission tomography study of the striatal D2/D3 receptor occupancy and pharmacokinetics of single-dose oral brexpiprazole in healthy participants.

PURPOSE: The aim of this Phase 1, open-label, positron emission tomography (PET) study was to determine the degree of striatal D2/D3 receptor occupancy induced by the serotonin-dopamine activity modulator, brexpiprazole, at different single dose levels in the range 0.25-6 mg. METHODS: Occupancy was measured at 4 and 23.5 h post-dose using the D2/D3 receptor antagonist [11C]raclopride. The pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of brexpiprazole were assessed in parallel. RESULTS: Fifteen healthy participants were enrolled (mean age 33.9 years; 93.3% male). Mean D2/D3 receptor occupancy in the putamen and caudate nucleus increased with brexpiprazole dose, leveled out at 77-88% with brexpiprazole 5 mg and 6 mg at 4 h post-dose, and remained at a similar level at 23.5 h post-dose (74-83%). Estimates of maximum obtainable receptor occupancy (Omax) were 89.2% for the putamen and 95.4% for the caudate nucleus; plasma concentrations predicted to provide 50% of Omax (EC50) were 8.13 ng/mL and 7.75 ng/mL, respectively. Brexpiprazole area under the concentration-time curve (AUC∞) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) increased approximately proportional to dose. No notable subjective or objective adverse effects were observed in this cohort. CONCLUSION: By extrapolating the observed single-dose D2/D3 receptor occupancy data in healthy participants, multiple doses of brexpiprazole 2 mg/day and above are expected to result in an efficacious brexpiprazole concentration, consistent with clinically active doses in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00805454 December 9, 2008.

Aripiprazole for the treatment of pediatric bipolar I disorder: a 30-week, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of aripiprazole in pediatric subjects with bipolar I disorder. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, 30-week, placebo-controlled study of aripiprazole (10 or 30 mg/day) in youths (10-17 years) with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed) ± psychotic features (n = 296) was performed. After four weeks, acute treatment completers continued receiving ≤26 weeks of double-blind treatment (n = 210). The primary outcome was Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) total score change. RESULTS: Of the 210 subjects who entered the 26-week extension phase, 32.4% completed the study (45.3% for aripiprazole 10 mg/day, 31.0% for aripiprazole 30 mg/day, and 18.8% for placebo). Both aripiprazole doses demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) greater improvements in YMRS total score at endpoint compared with placebo in protocol-specified last observation carried forward analyses, but not in observed case or mixed-model repeated measures at week 30. Overall time to all-cause discontinuation was longer for aripiprazole 10 mg/day (15.6 weeks) and aripiprazole 30 mg/day (9.5 weeks) compared with placebo (5.3 weeks; both p < 0.05 versus placebo). Both aripiprazole doses were significantly superior to placebo regarding response rates, Children's Global Assessment of Functioning and Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar severity of overall and mania scores at endpoint in all analyses. Commonly reported adverse events included headache, somnolence, and extrapyramidal disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Aripiprazole 10 mg/day and 30 mg/day were superior to placebo and generally well tolerated in pediatric subjects with bipolar I disorder up to 30 weeks. Despite the benefits of treatment, completion rates were low in all treatment arms.

Cost-effectiveness of adjunctive therapy with atypical antipsychotics for acute treatment of major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: While the clinical utility of atypical antipsychotics has been established in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who are refractory to antidepressant therapy, their cost-effectiveness is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine the cost-effectiveness of aripiprazole, quetiapine, and olanzapine/fluoxetine in adults with MDD who are refractory to antidepressant therapy. METHODS: Using techniques of decision analysis, we estimated expected outcomes and costs over 6 weeks in adults with MDD receiving (1) aripiprazole 2-20 mg/day and antidepressant therapy; (2) quetiapine 150 mg/day or 300 mg/day and antidepressant therapy; (3) the fixed-dose combination of olanzapine 6, 12, or 18 mg/day with fluoxetine 50 mg/day; or (4) antidepressant therapy alone. Cost-effectiveness was assessed in terms of the cost per additional responder at 6 weeks, defined as the ratio of the difference in the cost of MDD-related care over 6 weeks versus antidepressant therapy alone to the difference in the number of patients achieving clinical response by 6 weeks. We estimated the model using data from Phase 3 clinical trials of atypical antipsychotics along with other secondary data sources. RESULTS: With antidepressant therapy alone, the estimated clinical response rate at 6 weeks was 30%. Aripiprazole, quetiapine 150 mg/day, quetiapine 300 mg/day, and olanzapine/fluoxetine were estimated to increase clinical response at 6 weeks to 49%, 34%, 38%, and 45%, respectively. Costs of MDD-related care over 6 weeks were estimated to be $192 for antidepressant therapy, $847 for aripiprazole, $541 for quetiapine 150 mg/day, $672 for quetiapine 300 mg/day plus antidepressant therapy, and $791 for olanzapine/fluoxetine. Costs per additional responder (vs antidepressant therapy) over a 6-week period were estimated to be $3447 for aripiprazole, $8725 for quetiapine 150 mg/day, $6000 for quetiapine 300 mg/day, and $3993 for olanzapine/fluoxetine. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical antipsychotics substantially increase clinical response at 6 weeks. Cost per additional responder is lower for aripiprazole than for quetiapine or olanzapine/fluoxetine.

Efficacy and safety of adjunctive aripiprazole in major depressive disorder in older patients: a pooled subpopulation analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive aripiprazole compared with standard antidepressant therapy (ADT) for older patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who demonstrated an incomplete response to standard antidepressant monotherapy. METHODS: Data from three similar 14-week studies (an 8-week prospective ADT treatment phase and a 6-week randomized, double-blind phase) of aripiprazole augmentation were pooled for this post hoc analysis. Two age groups were defined: younger patients (aged 18-49 years) and older patients (aged 50-67 years). The older patient group was further divided into three subgroups: 50-55, 56-60, and 61-67 years. The efficacy endpoint was the mean change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from end of the prospective phase (Week 8) to endpoint (Week 14, last observation carried forward (LOCF)). Remission was defined as MADRS total score ≤10 at endpoint. RESULTS: Four hundred and nine older patients (placebo, n = 198; aripiprazole, n = 211) and 679 younger patients (placebo, n = 341; aripiprazole, n = 338) were included in this analysis. Older patients receiving aripiprazole demonstrated significantly greater improvement in MADRS total score versus placebo at Week 14 (-10.0 vs. -6.4; p < 0.001; LOCF), similar to the improvement seen in younger patients. Remission rates were significantly higher with aripiprazole versus placebo in older (32.5% vs. 17.1%; p < 0.001) and younger (26.9% vs. 16.4%; p < 0.001) patients. Akathisia was the most common adverse event in both the older (17.1%) and younger (26.0%) patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive aripiprazole was effective in improving depressive symptoms in older patients, 50-67 years, with MDD who have had an inadequate response to standard antidepressant medication.

Tolerability and pharmacokinetics of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders: an open-label, dose-escalation study.

This multicenter, open-label, sequential-cohort, dose-escalation study explored the tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of aripiprazole up to the maximum approved adult dose (30 mg/d) in children and adolescents (aged 10-17 years) preferentially with primary psychiatric diagnoses of a bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorder. During a dose-escalation phase, patients received aripiprazole for up to 12 days using forced titration to achieve doses of 20, 25, or 30 mg/d. In the subsequent fixed-dose phase, patients received the maximum dose for that cohort for an additional 14 days. Tolerability in each fixed-dose cohort was assessed by measures including evaluation of spontaneously reported adverse events (AEs) and vital signs. If 4 of 6 patients tolerated the maximum dose for the cohort, the dose was considered tolerated, and enrollment in the next dose level began. Of 21 enrolled patients, 17 completed the fixed-dose phase. Aripiprazole treatment was generally well tolerated, with criteria for tolerability met for all doses tested. All patients experienced at least 1 AE, none of which met the regulatory criteria for a serious AE. There were no deaths or clinically relevant changes in vital signs or weight. Aripiprazole PK seemed to be linear across the tested dose range and was comparable with previous PK observations in adults. This study provides information regarding the tolerability and PK of aripiprazole up to the maximum adult dose in children and adolescents. These data provided support for exploration of a 30-mg/d dose in child/adolescent schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Characterization of aripiprazole partial agonist activity at human dopamine D3 receptors.

Aripiprazole is the first dopamine D2/D3 receptor partial agonist approved for use in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and unipolar depression in the US. To explore the functional activity of aripiprazole at dopamine D3 receptors, we established Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines stably expressing high and low densities of Ser-9 and Gly-9 variants of human dopamine D3 receptors and compared aripiprazole's dopamine D3 pharmacological properties with other marketed and non-approved dopamine D3 receptor modulating agents on inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Maximal cell responses for dopamine were dependent on receptor expression levels, and all cells had similar potency for dopamine responses. Aripiprazole, terguride, bifeprunox, OPC-4392 (7-(3-[4-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)piperazinyl]propoxy)-2(1H)-quinolinone), (-)-3-PPP ((-)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine), SDZ 208-912 (N-[(8 alpha)-2-chloro-6-methylergolin-8-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide), BP897 (N-[4-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butyl]naphthalene-2-carboxamide) and GR103691 (4'-Acetyl-N-[4-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]butyl]biphenyl-4-carboxamide) behaved as partial agonists. Aripiprazole's intrinsic activity was similar to that of BP897 and GR103691, lower than that of terguride, bifeprunox, OPC-4392, and (-)-3-PPP, and higher than that of SDZ 208-912. The Gly-9 variant did not differ from the Ser-9 variant with respect to those agonist potencies and intrinsic activities. These compounds blocked the action of dopamine with a maximum effect equal to that of each compound alone. ACR16 (4-(3-Methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-1-propyl-piperidine), quetiapine, clozapine, olanzapine, ziprasidone, risperidone, and haloperidol acted as antagonists. Aripiprazole's unique activity at dopamine D3 receptors may translate into clinically relevant outcomes in patients with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Differences in agonist/antagonist properties at human dopamine D(2) receptors between aripiprazole, bifeprunox and SDZ 208-912.

Aripiprazole is the first dopamine D(2) receptor partial agonist approved for use in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other partial agonists have failed in various stages of development, either for reasons of poor tolerability or lack of efficacy. We conducted an in vitro comparative analysis between aripiprazole, bifeprunox, SDZ 208-912, OPC-4392 and ACR16 in attempt to correlate specific pharmacological properties with clinical outcome. In vitro pharmacological assessment included inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and the reversal of this inhibition produced by dopamine in clonal CHO cell lines expressing high and low densities of human dopamine D(2L) and D(2S) receptors. In cells expressing high receptor densities, all drugs except ACR16 predominantly behaved as agonists. However, in cells expressing low receptor densities, all drugs showed significantly lower maximal effects than dopamine. Aripiprazole's intrinsic activity was lower than that observed with bifeprunox and OPC-4392, and higher than that of SDZ 208-912. Aripiprazole's antagonist activity was greater than that of bifeprunox and OPC-4392, and less than that of SDZ 208-912. In conclusion, our data suggests that aripiprazole's unique intrinsic activity profile may account for its demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as its demonstrated low liability for parkinsonism and hyperprolactinemia. A higher degree of intrinsic activity, and lower relative antagonist activity, such as that observed with bifeprunox and OPC-4392 may translate into a clinically suboptimal improvement of positive symptoms. SDZ 208-912's intrinsic activity may be lower than the optimal level needed to minimize extrapyramidal symptoms.

Stereoselective high-performance liquid chromatography and analytical method characterization of evacetrapib using a brush-type chiral stationary phase: a challenging isomeric separation requiring a unique eluent system.

Using HPLC chiral separation screening, various columns representing the polysaccharide, macrocyclic antibiotic and brush classes were assessed in multiple chromatographic modes for the separation of evacetrapib, a potential cardiovascular drug, from its enantiomer, two diastereomers and several impurities. Screening data consistently pointed to the brush-type Whelk-O 1 chiral column as most promising for this task. A systematic separation optimization process is outlined using the (S,S) Whelk-O 1 chiral column, first for the resolution of the isomers, and later including six potential impurities. A relatively complex yet rugged separation system was eventually identified that effectively resolves all compounds within a reasonable analysis time, and should serve as an adequate tool for evacetrapib bulk drug enantiopurity measurement.

Comparison of adjunctive use of aripiprazole with bupropion or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: analysis of patients beginning adjunctive treatment in a 52-week, open-label study.

BACKGROUND: This post hoc analysis assessed the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of long-term treatment with aripiprazole adjunctive to either bupropion or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Data from de novo patients (did not participate in 2 previous studies) in a 52-week, open-label safety study of adjunctive aripiprazole after documented inadequate response to 1-4 antidepressant treatments (ADTs; SSRI, SNRI, or bupropion) were analyzed post hoc. Assessments included safety and tolerability, sexual functioning (Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Inventory [MGH-SFI]) and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S). RESULTS: Forty-seven patients received bupropion plus aripiprazole and 245 received an SSRI/SNRI plus aripiprazole; 19 (40.4%) and 78 (31.8%), respectively, completed 52 weeks of treatment, and 46 and 242, respectively, received ≥1 dose of study medication (safety sample). Median time to discontinuation (any reason) was 184.0 days. Overall, 97.8% of patients in the bupropion group and 93.8% in the SSRI/SNRI group experienced ≥1 adverse event. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue (26.1%) and somnolence (21.7%) with bupropion and fatigue (23.6%) and akathisia (23.6%) with an SSRI/SNRI. Mean change in body weight at week 52 (observed cases) was +3.1 kg for bupropion and +2.4 kg for an SSRI/SNRI. Treatment-emergent, potentially clinically relevant abnormalities in fasting glucose occurred in 8.3% of patients with bupropion and 17.4% with an SSRI/SNRI; for abnormalities in fasting total cholesterol, the incidence was 25.0% and 34.7%, respectively. Mean (SE) change from baseline in fasting glucose was 1.4 (1.9) mg/dL with bupropion and 2.7 (1.5) mg/dL with an SSRI/SNRI. Baseline MGH-SFI item scores indicated less severe impairment with bupropion versus an SSRI/SNRI; in both groups most MGH-SFI items exhibited improvement at week 52. Mean CGI-S improvement at week 52 (last observation carried forward) was -1.4 with bupropion and -1.5 with an SSRI/SNRI (efficacy sample). CONCLUSIONS: There were no unexpected AEs with long-term adjunctive aripiprazole therapy when added to either bupropion or SSRIs/SNRIs, and symptom improvement was similar between ADT groups. Sexual functioning in patients with MDD on antidepressants was also modestly improved after adding aripiprazole. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00095745 (November 9, 2004).

Dosing patterns of aripiprazole and quetiapine for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (2006-2010).

The aim of this study was to investigate the dosing patterns of adjunctive quetiapine or adjunctive aripiprazole in the treatment of major depressive disorder from 2006 to 2010, and to evaluate the impact of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on these dosing patterns. Patients included in the study were adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and treated with adjunctive aripiprazole or quetiapine between the years 2006 and 2010. The average daily dose and dose distribution were calculated and assessed statistically over the same time period. The mean daily dose for patients treated with adjunctive aripiprazole decreased from 13.5 mg/day in 2006 to 6.9 mg/day in 2010, whereas the mean daily dose for patients treated with quetiapine increased from 129 mg/day in 2006 to 139 mg/day in 2007, decreasing to 123 mg/day in 2010. The proportion of patients receiving FDA-recommended doses increased significantly for aripiprazole (86.3% in 2006 to 94.5% in 2010; P<0.001) and remained relatively stable for quetiapine (21.3% in 2006 to 24.0% in 2010; NS). The majority of patients treated with quetiapine received doses below those recommended by the FDA throughout the study period. Aripiprazole was mostly prescribed at therapeutic doses (pre-FDA and post-FDA approval), although the mean dose decreased significantly over time.

Aripiprazole treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder and the relationship between prior antipsychotic exposure, adverse events, and weight change.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of prior antipsychotic exposure (PAE) on safety and tolerability outcomes in pediatric subjects receiving aripiprazole treatment. METHODS: This study was a post-hoc analysis of pooled data from two 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies evaluating aripiprazole for the treatment of irritability in pediatric subjects with autistic disorder, aged 6-17 years. Subjects were stratified by PAE; adverse events (AEs), and changes in weight, and metabolic measures were evaluated. For subjects receiving aripiprazole, regardless of PAE, baseline weight, age, gender, and symptom severity were evaluated in a regression model predicting body weight change. RESULTS: Of 316 randomized subjects, 259 (82.0%) were antipsychotic naïve (AN) and 57 (18.0%) had a PAE. Aripiprazole-treated AN subjects were more likely than PAE subjects to report somnolence (11.9% vs. 2.8%), sedation (22.7% vs. 11.1%), or fatigue (17.0% vs. 13.9%). Rates of extrapyramidal disorder and drooling, but not akathisia or tremor, were marginally higher in AN subjects. Overall, 10.8% of aripiprazole-treated AN subjects had at least one AE leading to discontinuation compared with 8.3% of aripiprazole-treated PAE subjects. AN subjects receiving aripiprazole had a larger change in weight from baseline to endpoint compared with those receiving placebo (1.9 vs. 0.7 kg; treatment difference 1.2 kg, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.9) than PAE subjects receiving aripiprazole compared with subjects receiving placebo (0.4 vs. -0.4 kg; treatment difference 0.9 kg, 95% CI: -0.6, 2.4). Regression analysis identified that younger subjects with higher baseline weight z-score were at highest risk for weight gain. There were no significant changes in metabolic measures compared with placebo in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain was more pronounced in AN subjects and more likely to occur in younger subjects with a higher baseline weight z-score. AN subjects were more likely to experience AEs related to somnolence. However, based on discontinuations rates from AEs, overall tolerability was good for both AN and PAE groups. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Study of aripiprazole in the treatment of children and adolescents with autistic disorder. Registry: www.clinicaltrials.gov . Identifiers: NCT00332241 and NCT00337571.

Clinical significance of treatment effects with aripiprazole versus placebo in a study of manic or mixed episodes associated with pediatric bipolar I disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Published studies in adult and pediatric bipolar disorder have used different definitions of treatment response. This analysis aimed to compare different definitions of response in a large sample of children and adolescents. METHODS: Anexploratory analysis of a 4-week, multicenter, placebo-controlled study assessed patients (n=296; ages, 10-17 years) with an acute manic/mixed episode associated with BIPOLAR I disorder who were randomized to aripiprazole (10 or 30 mg/day) or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change from baseline to week 4 in young mania rating scale (YMRS) total score. Additional assessments included: clinical global impressions-bipolar disorder (CGI-BP) Overall and mania scales, child global assessment scale (CGAS), and parent and subject general behavior inventory. Response was compared across seven operational definitions. Cohen's κ and Spearman's correlation tested relationships between various response definitions or changes in outcome measures and clinically meaningful improvement (defined as a CGI-BP overall improvement score of 1 or 2). RESULTS: Response rates varied depending upon the operational definition, but were highest for 95% reliable change (statistical method used to determine individual change from previous assessment) and ≥33% reduction in YMRS total score. Response rate definitions with the highest validity in terms of predicting clinically meaningful improvement were: ≥50% reduction on YMRS (κ=0.64), a composite definition of response (YMRS <12.5, children's depression rating scale-revised (CDRS-R) ≤40, and CGAS ≥51; κ=0.59), and 95% reliable change on the CGAS or 33% reduction on YMRS (κ=0.56). Parent ratings of symptoms were generally better at detecting symptom improvement than were subject ratings (κ=∼0.4-0.5 vs. ∼0.2 when compared with CGI-BP overall improvement score). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically meaningful definitions of response in acute treatment of a manic/mixed episode in pediatric subjects include a 50% change in YMRS and a composite measure of response. Parent-reported measures of symptom improvement appear reliable for assessing symptom change.

Long-term safety and tolerability of aripiprazole once-monthly in maintenance treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of aripiprazole once-monthly (ARI-OM) for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. This long-term, pivotal study had four phases: oral conversion (phase 1, 4-6 weeks); oral stabilization (phase 2, 4-12 weeks); ARI-OM stabilization with coadministration of oral aripiprazole in the first 2 weeks (phase 3, 12-36 weeks); and a 52-week, randomized [phase 4, ARI-OM vs. placebo (2 : 1)], double-blind, maintenance phase. Safety was assessed across study phases by the time of first onset of adverse events, as were objective measures of extrapyramidal symptoms, fasting metabolic parameters, and body weight. Patient enrollment was phase 1=633; phase 2=710, of whom 210 entered phase 2 directly; phase 3=576; and phase 4=403 (ARI-OM, n=269; placebo, n=134). Adverse events (>5%) in any phase were insomnia, headache, anxiety, akathisia, increase in weight, injection-site pain, and tremor. Headache, somnolence, and nausea had a peak first onset within 4 weeks of treatment initiation. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was similar in all phases. There were no unexpected changes in weight or shifts in fasting metabolic parameters across all study phases. ARI-OM had a safety and tolerability profile comparable with oral aripiprazole in maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.

Early antipsychotic response to aripiprazole in adolescents with schizophrenia: predictive value for clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: In adults with chronic schizophrenia, most symptom decreases occur in the first few weeks of antipsychotic treatment, and nonresponse at week 2 predicts a later nonresponse. The trajectory of antipsychotic response and the predictive value of early antipsychotic effects were investigated for ultimate outcome in adolescent schizophrenia, where such data are still lacking. METHOD: This post hoc analysis of a 6-week, randomized, double-blinded trial of aripiprazole (n = 196) versus placebo (n = 98) evaluated if adolescents 13 to 17 years old with schizophrenia exhibited substantial symptomatic improvement to aripiprazole in the first few treatment weeks and whether early response (ER) versus early nonresponse (ENR) predicted clinically relevant outcomes. ER decreased at least 20% and ENR decreased less than 20% in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score at week 2 (ER2/ENR2) or 3 (ER3/ENR3). Ultimate response decreased at least 40% in PANSS score. RESULTS: Nearly 50% of the PANSS decrease was achieved by week 2 and up to 75% by week 3. ER2/ER3 subjects showed significantly greater improvement than ENR subjects in PANSS total score, PANSS positive and negative subscale scores, and functionally relevant outcomes. In general, ER3 had better sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values than ER2 for predicting ultimate response. ER2 subjects were 8.8 times (95% confidence interval 4.0-19.4) and ER3 subjects were 8.6 times (95% confidence interval 4.5-16.6) more likely to achieve remission at week 6 (p < .0001) than ENR2 and ENR3 subjects, respectively, although adverse events were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Like adults with chronic schizophrenia, adolescents with early-phase schizophrenia exhibited most symptomatic improvement early during aripiprazole treatment, with week 3 improvements having the best predictive power. Although requiring extension, these results may inform clinical decision making. Clinical trial registration information-Aripiprazole in Adolescents with Schizophrenia, http://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT00102063.

Pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety of aripiprazole once-monthly in adult schizophrenia: an open-label, parallel-arm, multiple-dose study.

This 24-week, open-label, Phase Ib, parallel-arm, multiple-dose trial assessed the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of a once-monthly injection of aripiprazole (aripiprazole once-monthly) in 41 subjects with schizophrenia. The objective was to determine if aripiprazole plasma concentrations (at doses of 200, 300 and 400mg) were within the therapeutic range observed for the oral tablet (10-30 mg). Completion rates were 36.4% (n=4/11), 50.0% (n=8/16) and 71.4% (n=10/14) for the 200mg, 300 mg and 400mg groups, respectively. Patients were stabilized on oral aripiprazole (10mg/day) before the first injection and received oral aripiprazole (10mg/day) concomitantly with the first dose of aripiprazole once-monthly for 14 days. Administration of aripiprazole once-monthly at doses of 300 and 400mg provided sustained mean aripiprazole plasma concentrations comparable with the concentration range observed following multiple consecutive daily doses of oral aripiprazole. In contrast, plasma concentrations following administration of aripiprazole once-monthly at a dose of 200mg were below the therapeutic range and pharmacokinetic parameters were not proportional to the administered dose compared with the 300 mg and 400mg doses. Treatment with aripiprazole once-monthly, at any dose, did not result in any clinically meaningful changes from baseline in extrapyramidal symptom scales, clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, or electrocardiogram parameters. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were vomiting (13.3%, 300 mg; 14.3%, 400mg), injection site pain (28.6%, 400mg), upper respiratory tract infection (10%, 200mg; 6.7% 300 mg; 14.3%, 400mg) and tremor (6.7%, 300 mg; 21.4%, 400mg). In conclusion, aripiprazole once-monthly at doses of 300 and 400mg is a viable formulation for treatment of adults with schizophrenia.

Medical care costs and hospitalization in patients with bipolar disorder treated with atypical antipsychotics.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of costs associated with the treatment of bipolar disorder are attributable to patient hospitalization. OBJECTIVE: To investigate medical care costs and hospitalization rates among patients with bipolar disorder who were managed with aripiprazole compared with olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study assessed patients who were aged 18 to 64 years, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and who were receiving therapy with aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone. This study was based on data from the PharMetrics claims database between January 1, 2003, and September 30, 2008. The study used a time-to-event framework. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the impact of each atypical antipsychotic on time to hospitalization, including all-cause and mental health-related reasons. Generalized linear models were used to compare costs per treated patient per month between the groups. Aripiprazole therapy was the reference group for all comparisons. RESULTS: Aripiprazole therapy showed a significantly lower hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause hospitalizations compared with olanzapine (HR, 1.4), quetiapine (HR, 1.4), risperidone (HR, 1.2), and ziprasidone (HR, 1.7); and for mental health-related hospitalizations compared with olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone (HR, 1.3 each), and ziprasidone (HR, 1.7). Ziprasidone had higher unadjusted all-cause medical costs (US $1151 ± $2928) and unadjusted mental health-related costs (US $711 ± $2263) than the other antipsychotics that were included in this study, whereas aripiprazole had the lowest all-cause (US $804 ± $2523) and mental health-related costs (US $475 ± $2145) compared with the other antipsychotics. Quetiapine had the highest all-cause costs (US $1221; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1180-1263), and ziprasidone had the highest mental health-related costs (US $823; 95% CI, 754-898). Adjusted inpatient and emergency department all-cause costs were significantly lower for aripiprazole compared with all other atypical antipsychotics (P <.05), except olanzapine; however, the adjusted inpatient and emergency department mental health-related costs were significantly lower for aripiprazole only when compared with ziprasidone (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: The costs of medical care for patients with bipolar disorder differ based on the type of medication used, which can affect the rate of hospitalization. Treatment with aripiprazole was associated with fewer hospitalizations, longer time to hospitalization, and therefore the lowest all-cause and mental health-related medical costs compared with olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone. Therefore, aripiprazole may offer an economic advantage over other atypical antipsychotics in patients with bipolar disorder.

Trends in combination antipsychotic use among persons with commercial insurance: a data snapshot.

In this data snapshot, the IMS PharMetrics Database was examined to assess the prevalence of combination antipsychotic therapy for the years 2003 through 2009 among 122,349 commercially insured adult individuals with bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. Although all three diagnostic groups were associated with varying amounts of combination antipsychotic use that included aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone, persons with schizophrenia exhibited the highest rates. These findings indicate that from the perspective of "practice-based evidence," providers see value in combination therapy.

Association between second-generation antipsychotic medication half-life and hospitalization in the community treatment of adult schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of antipsychotic medication half-life on the risk of psychiatric hospital admission and emergency department (ED) visits among adults with schizophrenia. METHODS: Retrospective claims-based cohort study of adult Medicaid patients with schizophrenia who were prescribed second-generation antipsychotic monotherapy following hospital discharge between 1/1/04 and 12/31/06. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to compare adjusted hazards of mental disorder admission among patients treated with oral antipsychotics that have either a long [risperidone (t(1/2) = 20 h), olanzapine (t(1/2) = 30 h), aripiprazole (t(1/2) = 75 h)] (n = 1479) or short [quetiapine (t(1/2) = 6 h), ziprasidone (t(1/2) = 7 h)] (n = 837) half-life. Day-level models controlled for baseline background characteristics and antipsychotic adherence over time as measured by gaps in the prescription record. Similar analyses examined either hospitalization or ED visits as separate endpoints. RESULTS: A significantly lower rate of hospitalization/ED visits was evident for long (0.74/patient-year) vs short (1.06/patient-year) half-life antipsychotics (p < 0.001). The unadjusted rate of hospitalization alone was significantly lower for long (0.38/patient-year) vs short (0.52/patient-year) half-life antipsychotics (p = 0.005). Compared with short half-life antipsychotic drugs, the adjusted hazard ratio associated with long half-life medications was 0.77 (95% CI = 0.67-0.88) for combined hospitalization/ED visits and 0.80 (95% CI = 0.67-0.96) for hospitalization. The corresponding number needed to treat with long, rather than short, half-life medications to avoid one hospitalization was 16 patients for 1 year and to avoid one hospitalization or ED visit was 11 patients for 1 year. LIMITATIONS: This study demonstrated an association between antipsychotic medication half-life and hospitalization, not a causal link. Patients using long half-life medications had fewer comorbid mental health conditions and took fewer psychiatric medications at baseline. Other unmeasured differences may have existed between groups and may partially account for the findings. CONCLUSIONS: In schizophrenia management, longer-acting second-generation antipsychotics were associated with a lower risk of hospital admission/ED visits for mental disorders.

Beneficial effects of adjunctive aripiprazole in major depressive disorder are not dependent on antidepressant therapy history: a post hoc analysis of 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether switching within or between antidepressant therapy (ADT) classes prior to the use of adjunctive antipsychotic treatment is associated with different outcomes in major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD: This was a post hoc analysis of pooled data from 3 similar, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled registrational studies of aripiprazole adjunctive to ADT conducted between September 2004 and April 2008. The trials comprised the following 3 phases: a 7- to 28-day screening phase, an 8-week single-blind prospective treatment phase, and a 6-week double-blind, randomized phase. Patients were aged 18-65 years and met DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD. Patients with an inadequate response to ADT during the screening phase entered the prospective treatment phase, during which they were switched to another ADT medication of either the same or a different class. Those patients with an inadequate response were then randomized to double-blind adjunctive aripiprazole or adjunctive placebo and followed for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Mean improvement in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale total score was significantly greater with adjunctive aripiprazole versus adjunctive placebo for both between-class (-9.2 vs -6.2, P < .001) and within-class (-9.8 vs -6.6, P < .001) switch groups. Relative risks for response were 1.6 (95% CI = 1.3-2.1) for those who switched between classes and 1.7 (95% CI = 1.2-2.2) for those who switched within class. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation with aripiprazole, after either a between-class or within-class switch following initial ADT failure, is an effective option for patients with nonresponsive MDD. In contrast to current strategies employed in clinical practice, these results suggest that adjunctive aripiprazole is a logical strategy in patients unresponsive to ADT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT00105196, NCT00095758, NCT00095823.