title: [Aripiprazole long-acting for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.]
abstract: Antipsychotics are the cornerstone for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia patients. Their long-acting formulations are helpful for preventing relapses through improvement of adherence to medication and a better pharmacokinetic coverage. However, their use is often reserved for refractory or non-observant clinical forms because of limitations among both clinicians and patients. The development of a new formulation of long-acting injectable aripiprazole administered every 4 weeks is a new option. Two randomized controlled trials vs. placebo and vs. oral aripiprazole respectively show a superiority and non-inferiority in terms of relapse prevention. Meanwhile, a mirror-image study demonstrates fewer hospitalizations. The safety profile is comparable to the oral formulation, particularly in terms of metabolic and neurological side-effects. As mentioned in various professional recommendations, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, so long-acting injectable aripiprazole, are one of the major strategies of the maintenance treatment for patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Service de psychiatrie B, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, EA 7280, université d'Auvergne, 58, rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: lsamalin@chu-clermontferrand.fr.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Samalin
authors.affiliation: Service de psychiatrie B, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, EA 7280, université d'Auvergne, 58, rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Charpeaud
authors.affiliation: Service de psychiatrie B, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, EA 7280, université d'Auvergne, 58, rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: P-M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Llorca
keywords: Antipsychotiques à libération prolongée; Aripiprazole à libération prolongée; Long-acting injectable antipsychotics; Long-acting injectable aripiprazole; Maintenance treatment; Schizophrenia; Schizophrénie; Traitement de maintenance