Aripiprazole, a novel atypical antipsychotic drug.
Before the 1990s, treatment of psychoses centered on conventional agents whose tolerability was limited by extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). The past decade has seen the emergence of a newer generation of antipsychotic agents, first with clozapine and followed shortly by risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone. These agents have been touted as providing better negative symptom efficacy, less impaired cognition, and lower risk of extrapyramidal syndromes. However, evolving evidence suggests that several drugs in this class may be associated with significant weight gain and lipid abnormalities. Aripiprazole, a new atypical antipsychotic drug, displayed efficacy similar to that of haloperidol and risperidone and superior to that of placebo in numerous clinical trials. Aripiprazole does not cause significant prolactin elevation and is associated with a low rate of clinically significant weight gain compared with other atypical antipsychotics. Patients receiving aripiprazole experienced EPS at a rate similar to that seen with placebo. Aripiprazole provides a new treatment option with limited adverse effects for patients in need of antipsychotic therapy.
College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1112, USA.
Tami R
TR
Argo
Ryan M
RM
Carnahan
Paul J
PJ
Perry
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole