Possibilities of aripiprazole use in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder. Expert consensus in the Czech republic
Abstract
Aripiprazole demostrated sufficient efficacy in the treatment of manic episodes of bipolar affective disorder in randomized double-blind trials. The antimanic effect resulted in about 50% of responders with a rapid onset of action within 2-4 days and after intramuscular administration within 45-60 minutes without excessive sedation.
The long-term prophylaxis seginificantly reduced manic but not depressive relapses. Aripiprazole was effective in reducting the euphoric, psychotic,mixed and rapidly cycling forms of mania.
Aripipazole was well tolerated and unlike the other antipsychotics did not induce metabolic side effects and hyperprolactinaemia. Its successful use requires knowledge of a specific strategy for swithing from other antipsyhotics and management of akathisia.
Aripiprazole efectively expands the currenty used variety of antimanics