Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of bipolar disorder: a systematic review

Abstract BACKGROUND: The current article is a systematic review concerning the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of bipolar disorder. METHODS: A systematic Medline and repositories search concerning the usefulness of aripiprazole in bipolar disorder was performed, with the combination of the words 'aripiprazole' and 'bipolar'. RESULTS: The search returned 184 articles and was last updated on 15 April 2009. An additional search included repositories of clinical trials and previous systematic reviews specifically in order to trace unpublished trials. There were seven placebo-controlled randomised controlled trials (RCTs), six with comparator studies and one with add-on studies. They assessed the usefulness of aripiprazole in acute mania, acute bipolar depression and during the maintenance phase in comparison to placebo, lithium or haloperidol. CONCLUSION: Aripiprazole appears effective for the treatment and prophylaxis against mania. The data on bipolar depression are so far negative, however there is a need for further study at lower dosages. The most frequent adverse effects are extrapyramidal signs and symptoms, especially akathisia, without any significant weight gain, hyperprolactinaemia or laboratory test changes

Aripiprazole: A Review of its Use in the Treatment of Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Patients Aged 6-17

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed examining the efficacy of aripiprazole for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents. Aripiprazole was found to be more effective in reducing irritability compared with placebo at 8 weeks, SMD -0.64 [-0.90 to -0.39, P < 0.00001] as determined by the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist irritability subscale (ABC-I). Pooled data from two eight week trials show that sedation is the most commonly reported adverse event. Statistically significant weight gain was also associated with aripiprazole, but there was a decrease in serum prolactin. Most adverse effects were deemed to be mild to moderate in severity. Four open trials and three case series all show support for aripiprazole in reducing the behavioural symptoms of autism. Long-term studies are required to determine the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in autistic disorder in children