Augmentation of Clozapine with Aripiprazole in Severe Psychotic Bipolar and Schizoaffective Disorders: A Pilot Study

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the augmentation of clozapine with aripiprazole in patients with treatment-resistant schizoaffective and psychotic bipolar disorders in a retrospective manner. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions between the two drugs were also investigated. PATIENTS: Three men and 4 women (median age 36 and 40 years, respectively) who had mean scores at BPRS and CGI-Severity of 59.1+/-12.0 and 5.4+/-0.5, respectively, were treated with clozapine (mean dose 292.9+/-220.7 mg/day). Patients received an adjunctive treatment with aripiprazole (mean dose 6.8 +/- 3.7 mg/day). Clozapine, norclozapine and aripiprazole plasma levels were measured by means of a high performance liquid chromatograpy with UV detection. RESULTS: Total scores at BPRS decreased significantly (from 59.1+/-12.0 to 51.1+/-15.6, p=0.007) after aripirazole augmentation. In particular, the factors "thought disorder" (from 10.4+/-4.4 to 9.0+/-4.5, p=.047) and "anergia" (from 10.0+/-2.7 to 8.0+/-2.4, p=.018) significantly improved. Concomitant administration of aripiprazole and clozapine did not result in an increase in side effects over the period of treatment. Dose-normalized plasma levels of both clozapine and norclozapine and the clozapine/norclozapine metabolic ratio in all patients did not vary as well. CONCLUSION: The augmentation of clozapine with aripirazole was safe and effective in severe psychotic schizoaffective and bipolar disorders which failed to respond to atypical antipsychotics. A possible pharmacokinetic interaction between clozapine and aripiprazole does not account for the improved clinical benefit obtained after aripiprazole augmentation

Starting aripiprazole long-acting-once-a-month early in treatment: why, how and for whom? Expert consensus and practical recommendations by a panel of Italian clinicians

Introduction: Aripiprazole long acting once-monthly (AOM) is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Despite recent evidence of AOM efficacy in the acute treatment of schizophrenia, it is recommended that AOM should be started once the acute symptoms are controlled and patients are stabilized. However, there currently are no definitive guidelines exactly describing when a patient is to be considered stabilized enough to start AOM and which the patients are for whom an early AOM start is to be preferred. Areas covered: A panel of Italian clinicians experienced with real world use of AOM met to discuss the scenarios where an early (i.e., immediately after controlling the acute symptoms) start of AOM may be suggested. Real life clinical experiences were shared and a consensus was reached. Expert opinion: There are cases when the risks/benefits ratio suggests to start AOM early, i.e. immediately after the acute symptoms have been stabilized, as opposed to starting it several days/weeks after the stabilization of acute symptoms. Clinical pearls, guidelines and opinions are provided