Can Aaripiprazole Normalize Yatrogenic Hyperprolactinemia?

Aripiprazole is a second generation atypical antipsychotic (AAP), with properties of partial dopamine agonist, used in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, among others. On the other hand, the side effects associated with AAP treatment are drug-specific, with hyperprolactinemia and metabolic syndrome being some of the most important. Hyperprolactinemia is an adverse effect with consequences both in the short term, alterations in gonadal function and parkinsonism, and in the long term, osteopenia-osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and / or increased thromboembolic risk. Therefore, normalization or reduction of prolactinemia is sufficient to avoid them. According to our results, aripiprazole would be the ideal component for the combined treatment with those other antipsychotics that cause hyperprolactinemia, such as risperidone, reducing it and alleviating or eliminating the adverse effects derived from chronic hyperprolactinemia.

Partial dopamine agonist-induced pathological gambling and impulse-control deficit on low-dose aripiprazole

Objective: To describe a case of aripiprazole-induced problem gambling and impulse-control deficit in a gambling-naïve patient following commencement of low-dose aripiprazole. Method: Case report. Results: This case adds to the literature on the dopamine partial agonist aripiprazole causing or exacerbating problem gambling, and extends that literature to low-dose use of aripiprazole in the gambling naïve. Conclusions: When commencing a patient on aripiprazole the possibility of emergence of problem gambling and other impulse-control deficits should be monitored, even in those with no history of similar behaviours and even on a low dose

Treatment of schizophrenia with aripiprazole may contribute to improved functions

IntroductionThe goals with modern treatment of schizophrenia are to achieve remission of clinical symptoms, prevent relapse, and to restore the patients’ functions.Objectives/aimsThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of treatment with the partial dopamine agonist aripiprazole on functions, measured as time spent for work or studies, in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.MethodsRetrospective data on employment and study activities were collected for all patients between 18–65 years with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder at an open care psychosis clinic in Sweden (n = 104). Possible impact of treatment with aripiprazole and of other variables, such as age, gender, and disease severity, was analysed.ResultsAmong patients who worked or studied at Day of admission (n = 36), the probability of maintaining or increasing time for work or studies was significantly higher in patients treated with aripiprazole compared with patients who were not (88% versus 53%; P = 0.020). This difference remained significant after controlling for severity of symptoms, age and sex. A secondary analysis, including all patients (independent of work or study status at Day of admission) also showed a significant difference in favour of aripiprazole (53% versus 26%, P = 0.005).ConclusionsThe results indicate that patients treated with aripiprazole (monotherapy or add-on) have higher probability of maintaining functional capacity. A plausible explanation might be aripiprazole's favourable effect on cognitive functions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.