“Next generation” atypical antipsychotic launched
A new atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia was launched this week.
Aripiprazole (Abilify), marketed jointly
by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, has a different mode
of action to antipsychotics available currently. The drug is believed
to work as a dopamine system stabiliser, decreasing dopamine activity
where dopamine receptors are over-stimulated and increasing dopamine
activity where they are under-stimulated. The companies say that this
results in efficacy against the positive symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions,
hallucinations and hostility), the negative symptoms (lack of motivation
and social interaction) and the cognitive symptoms (memory loss and poor
attention). In common with other atypical antipsychotics, aripiprazole
is a 5HT2A antagonist. It is also a partial agonist at the 5HT1A receptor.
Speaking at the launch of aripiprazole last week, Mike Travis, consultant
psychiatrist at London’s Institute of Psychiatry and Maudsley Hospital,
explained that the unique mode of action improves its tolerability, an
important factor in helping patients adhere to treatment. He said that
aripiprazole is generally not associated with weight gain, cardiac side
effects, sedation or hormonal changes.
The starting and maintenance dose of aripiprazole is 15mg per day. Enhanced
efficacy at higher doses has not been demonstrated, although the summary
of product characteristics for the drug notes that individual patients
may benefit from a higher dose.
Notice board p799 |
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