Psychotic disorders are an amalgam of mental health illnesses that cause a loss of contact with reality. Schizophrenia is an example of a psychosis that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disturbances in thought processes and behavior (Hany et al., 2022). Antipsychotic medications maintain effectiveness in the management of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. This study guide outlines a medication used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
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Description of the Psychopharmacological Medication Agent
Aripiprazole is psychotropic medication. Aripiprazole is marketed in the U.S. under the brand name Abilify. Abilify is FDA-approved for schizophrenic disorders and acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder (Gettu & Saadabadi, 2022). It is available in tablet form and administered peroral.
Figure 1: Abilify Tablets
Valid and Reliable Research on Non-FDA Uses
Abilify is used off-label in the adjunctive treatment of comorbid psychotic and substance abuse disorders. It is also used to treat psychosis and agitation related to dementia (Crosby et al., 2021). In Parkinson’s, this drug treats delirium and ataxia.
Drug Classification
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication.
The Medication Mechanism of Action
Aripiprazole is a partial D2 and 5-HT1 agonist and an antagonist at 5-HT 2a receptors. It stabilizes dopamine and serotonin within the frontal cortex, ventral tegmental areas, and the nucleus accumbens. In addition, it is a functional antagonist in the mesolimbic pathway where dopamine concentrations are high.
Figure 2: The mechanism of action of Abilify
Pharmacokinetics
Abilify tablets are administered orally, with or without food. Also, injectable forms are available for the management of acute symptoms. It is metabolized in the liver by the CYP3A4 metabolizing system and excreted in the feces.
Pharmacodynamics
Abilify is a partial agonist at dopamine and serotonin receptors. It also has an antagonistic effect on serotonin 2A receptors.
Appropriate Dosing, Administration Route, and Considerations for Dosing Alterations
The recommended adult dose for Abilify tablets is 10-15 mg once daily, orally. It can be taken with or without food.
Considerations of Use and Dosing In Specific Specialty Populations
Abilify is not recommended for use by persons below 15 years of age. Lower starting doses are required for persons aged 65 and above (Coustals et al., 2021). Its use is not recommended in pregnancy. Close supervision is necessary when this medication is given to persons with suicidal tendencies or ideation.
Half-Life Definition, Its Importance, and the Half-Life of Aripiprazole
Half-life is the time taken for the concentration of a drug to reduce to half. The half-life of aripiprazole is 75 hours. Half-life is crucial as it determines the dosing frequency.
Side Effects/Adverse Reaction Potentials
Extrapyramidal side effects may be apparent with aripiprazole use. These include akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, Parkinson-like symptoms of resting tremors, and acute dystonia. Other side effects include weight gain, hypercholesterolemia, hyperprolactinemia, glucose dysregulation, somnolence, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, and SIADH (Cuomo et al., 2019). Other rare side effects are jaundice and seizures.
Contraindications for Use
Aripiprazole is contraindicated in known hypersensitivity. This drug is metabolized in the liver by the CYP3A4 microsomal enzymes. Therefore, it can interact with other drugs metabolized by this enzyme system.
Overdose Considerations
There is no known antidote for aripiprazole overdose. Management of aripiprazole overdose focuses on supportive therapy for symptom relief. Early charcoal administration can help reduce the amount of the drug absorbed.
Diagnostics and Labs Monitoring
Baseline measurement of blood pressure, liver function, blood glucose, and electrolytes is necessitated before initiation of aripiprazole. A comp
