Effectiveness of Switching to Long-acting Injectable Aripiprazole in Patients with Recent-onset and Chronic Schizophrenia
- Author:
Sung-Wan KIM
1
;
Bong-Ju LEE
;
Eun-Jin CHEON
;
Seung-Hee WON
;
Anna JO
;
Jae-Min KIM
;
Young-Chul CHUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2023;21(1):57-67
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study investigated the effectiveness of switching to once-monthly long-acting injectable (LAI) aripiprazole from other second-generation antipsychotics including LAI paliperidone palmitate in both recent-onset and chronic schizophrenia patients.
Methods:This was a 24-week prospective, open-label, flexible dose-switching study in patients with schizophrenia. Scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale, Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Subjective Well-being Under Neuroleptics−Short Form (SWN-K), and a computerized emotional recognition test (ERT) were evaluated. Subjects were divided into two groups (recent onset and chronic) based on 5 years’ duration of the illness.
Results:Among the 82 patients participating, 67 (81.7%) completed the 24-week study. The discontinuation rate after switching to LAI aripiprazole did not differ according to clinical characteristics including type of previous antipsychotics. Scores on the PANSS, PSP, SWN-K, CGI, and ERT were significantly improved after a switch to LAI aripiprazole without exacerbation of metabolic parameters and bodyweight. The improvements in the PANSS, PSP, and CGI scores were significantly greater in patients with recent-onset than in those with chronic schizophrenia; the improvement in metabolic parameters was significantly greater in the latter group.
Conclusion:High rates of successful switching to LAI aripiprazole from other antipsychotics suggest its good tolerability and effectiveness. Improvements in psychopathology and social functioning were more evident in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia, and improvements in metabolic abnormalities were more prominent in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
