Abilify Maintena Drug Information
Generic name: ARIPIPRAZOLE
Uses of Abilify Maintena
(aripiprazole) is indicated: for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults for maintenance monotherapy treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults ABILIFY MAINTENA is an atypical antipsychotic indicated: for treatment of schizophrenia in adults for maintenance monotherapy treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults
Dosage & Administration of Abilify Maintena
| Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers | 300 mg |
|---|---|
| Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers taking concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors | Avoid use |
| Strong CYP2D6 | 300 mg |
| CYP2D6 | Avoid use |
| CYP3A4 inducers | Avoid use |
Side Effects of Abilify Maintena
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Safety Database of ABILIFY MAINTENA and Oral Aripiprazole Oral aripiprazole has been evaluated for safety in 16,114 adult patients who participated in multiple-dose, clinical trials in schizophrenia and other indications, and who had approximately 8,578 patient-years of exposure to oral aripiprazole. A total of 3,901 patients were treated with oral aripiprazole for at least 180 days, 2,259 patients were treated with oral aripiprazole for at least 360 days, and 933 patients continuing aripiprazole treatment for at least 720 days.
ABILIFY MAINTENA has been evaluated for safety in 2,128 adult patients in clinical trials in schizophrenia, with approximately 2,633 patient-years of exposure to ABILIFY MAINTENA. A total of 1,229 patients were treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA for at least 180 days (at least 7 consecutive injections) and 935 patients treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA had at least 1 year of exposure (at least 13 consecutive injections). ABILIFY MAINTENA has been evaluated for safety in 804 adult patients in clinical trials in bipolar I disorder, with approximately 530 patient-years of exposure to ABILIFY MAINTENA. A total of 419 patients were treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA for at least 180 days (at least 7 consecutive injections) and 287 patients treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA had at least 1 year of exposure (at least 13 consecutive injections). The conditions and duration of treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA included double-blind and open-label studies. The safety data presented below are derived from the 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adult patients with schizophrenia. Adverse Reactions with ABILIFY MAINTENA Most Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions in Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials in Schizophrenia Based on the placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in schizophrenia, the most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of ABILIFY MAINTENA in patients (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) were increased weight (16.8% vs. 7.0%), akathisia (11.4% vs. 3.5%), injection site pain (5.4% vs. 0.6%) and sedation (5.4% vs. 1.2%). Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions in Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials in Schizophrenia The following findings are based on the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that compared ABILIFY MAINTENA 400 mg or 300 mg to placebo in patients with schizophrenia.
Table 8 lists the adverse reactions reported in 2% or more of ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated subjects and at a greater proportion than in the placebo group. Table 8: Adverse Reactions in ≥2% of ABILIFY MAINTENA-Treated Adult Patients with Schizophrenia in a 12-Week Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial This table does not include adverse reactions which had an incidence equal to or less than placebo. Percentage of Patients Reporting Reaction ABILIFY MAINTENA Placebo Preferred Term (n=167) (n=172) Gastrointestinal Disorders Constipation 10 7 Dry Mouth 4 2 Diarrhea 3 2 Vomiting 3 1 Abdominal Discomfort 2 1 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Injection Site Pain 5 1 Infections and Infestations Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 4 2 Investigations Increased Weight 17 7 Decreased Weight 4 2 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Arthralgia 4 1 Back Pain 4 2 Myalgia 4 2 Musculoskeletal Pain 3 1 Nervous System Disorders Akathisia 11 4 Sedation 5 1 Dizziness 4 2 Tremor 3 1 Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Nasal Congestion 2 1 Other Adverse Reactions Observed During the Clinical Trial Evaluation of ABILIFY MAINTENA The following listing does not include reactions: 1) already listed in previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, 2) for which a drug cause was remote, 3) which were so general as to be uninformative, 4) which were not considered to have significant clinical implications, or 5) which occurred at a rate equal to or less than placebo.
Reactions are categorized by body system according to the following definitions: frequent adverse reactions are those occurring in at least 1/100 patients; infrequent adverse reactions are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients; rare reactions are those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients: Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: rare - thrombocytopenia Cardiac Disorders: infrequent - tachycardia; rare - bradycardia, sinus tachycardia Endocrine Disorders: rare - hypoprolactinemia Eye Disorders: infrequent - vision blurred, oculogyric crisis Gastrointestinal Disorders: infrequent - abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, nausea; rare -swollen tongue General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: frequent - fatigue, injection site reactions (including erythema, induration, pruritus, injection site reaction, swelling, rash, inflammation, hemorrhage); infrequent - chest discomfort, gait disturbance; rare -irritability, pyrexia Hepatobiliary Disorders: rare - drug induced liver injury Immune System Disorders: rare - drug hypersensitivity Infections and Infestations: rare - nasopharyngitis Investigations: infrequent - blood creatine phosphokinase increased, blood pressure decreased, hepatic enzyme increased, liver function test abnormal, electrocardiogram QT-prolonged; rare - blood triglycerides decreased, blood cholesterol decreased, electrocardiogram T-wave abnormal Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: infrequent - decreased appetite, obesity, hyperinsulinemia Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: infrequent - joint stiffness, muscle twitching, trismus; rare - rhabdomyolysis Nervous System Disorders: infrequent - extrapyramidal disorder, hypersomnia, lethargy; rare - bradykinesia, convulsion, dysgeusia, memory impairment, oromandibular dystonia Psychiatric Disorders: frequent - anxiety, insomnia, restlessness; infrequent - agitation, bruxism, psychotic disorder, suicidal ideation; rare - aggression, hypersexuality, panic attack Renal and Urinary Disorders : rare - glycosuria, pollakiuria, urinary incontinence Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: infrequent - ejaculation delayed Vascular Disorders: infrequent - hypertension Demographic Differences An examination of population subgroups was performed across demographic subgroup categories for adverse reactions experienced by at least 5% of ABILIFY MAINTENA subjects at least twice rate of the placebo (i.e., increased weight, akathisia, injection site pain, and sedation) in the double-blind placebo-controlled trial. This analysis did not reveal evidence of differences in safety differential adverse reaction incidence on the basis of age, gender, or race alone; however, there were few subjects ≥65 years of age. Injection Site Reactions of ABILIFY MAINTENA In the data from the short-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with ABILIFY MAINTENA in patients with schizophrenia, the percent of patients reporting any injection site-related adverse reaction (all reported as injection site pain) was 5.4% for patients treated with gluteal administered ABILIFY MAINTENA and 0.6% for placebo.
The mean intensity of injection pain reported by subjects using a visual analog scale (0=no pain to 100=unbearably painful) approximately one hour after injection was 7.1 (SD 14.5) for the first injection and 4.8 (SD 12.4) at the last visit in the double-blind, placebo-controlled phase. In an open-label study comparing bioavailability of ABILIFY MAINTENA administered in the deltoid or gluteal muscle, injection site pain was observed in both groups at approximately equal rates. Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adults with schizophrenia, the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients was 9.6% vs. 5.2% for placebo.
The incidence of akathisia-related events for ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients was 11.5% vs. 3.5% for placebo. Dystonia Symptoms of dystonia, prolonged abnormal contractions of muscle groups, may occur in susceptible individuals during the first few days of treatment. Dystonic symptoms include: spasm of the neck muscles, sometimes progressing to tightness of the throat, swallowing difficulty, difficulty breathing, and/or protrusion of the tongue.
While these symptoms can occur at low doses, they occur more frequently and with greater severity with high potency and at higher doses of first-generation antipsychotic drugs. An elevated risk of acute dystonia is observed in males and younger age groups. In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adults with schizophrenia, the incidence of dystonia was 1.8% for ABILIFY MAINTENA vs. 0.6% for placebo.
Neutropenia In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adults with schizophrenia, the incidence of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≤1.5 thous/mcL) for ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients was 5.7% vs. 2.1% for placebo. An absolute neutrophil count of <1 thous/mcL (i.e., 0.95 thous/mcL) was observed in only one patient on ABILIFY MAINTENA and resolved spontaneously without any associated adverse events. Adverse Reactions Reported in Clinical Trials with Oral Aripiprazole The following is a list of additional adverse reactions that have been reported in clinical trials with oral aripiprazole and not reported above for ABILIFY MAINTENA: Cardiac Disorders: palpitations, cardiopulmonary failure, myocardial infarction, cardio-respiratory arrest, atrioventricular block, extrasystoles, angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia Eye Disorders: photophobia, diplopia, eyelid edema, photopsia Gastrointestinal Disorders: gastroesophageal reflux disease, swollen tongue, esophagitis, pancreatitis, stomach discomfort, toothache General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: asthenia, peripheral edema, chest pain, face edema, angioedema, hypothermia, pain Hepatobiliary Disorders: hepatitis, jaundice Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications: heat stroke Investigations: blood prolactin decreased, blood prolactin increased, blood urea increased, blood creatinine increased, blood bilirubin increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, glycosylated hemoglobin increased Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: anorexia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, polydipsia, diabetic ketoacidosis Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: muscle rigidity, muscular weakness, muscle tightness, decreased mobility, rhabdomyolysis, musculoskeletal stiffness, pain in extremity, muscle spasms Nervous System Disorders: coordination abnormal, speech disorder, hypokinesia, hypotonia, myoclonus, akinesia, bradykinesia, choreoathetosis Psychiatric Disorders: loss of libido, suicide attempt, hostility, libido increased, anger, anorgasmia, delirium, intentional self-injury, completed suicide, tic, homicidal ideation, catatonia, sleepwalking Renal and Urinary Disorders: urinary retention, polyuria, nocturia Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: menstruation irregular, erectile dysfunction, amenorrhea, breast pain, gynecomastia, priapism Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: nasal congestion, dyspnea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, cough Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: rash (including erythematous, exfoliative, generalized, macular, maculopapular, papular rash; acneiform, allergic, contact, exfoliative, seborrheic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, and drug eruption), hyperhidrosis, pruritus, photosensitivity reaction, alopecia, urticaria
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of oral aripiprazole or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: occurrences of allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, laryngospasm, pruritus/urticaria, or oropharyngeal spasm), pathological gambling, hiccups, blood glucose fluctuation, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and fecal incontinence.
Warnings & Cautions for Abilify Maintena
Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia- Related Psychosis Elderly patients with
dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of 17 placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group.
Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear.
ABILIFY MAINTENA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions, Including Stroke in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis
In placebo-controlled clinical studies (two flexible-dose and one fixed-dose study) of dementia-related psychosis, there was an increased incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, in oral aripiprazole-treated patients (mean age: 84 years; range: 78 to 88 years). In the fixed-dose study, there was a statistically significant dose response relationship for cerebrovascular adverse reactions in patients treated with oral aripiprazole. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) may occur with administration of antipsychotic drugs, including ABILIFY MAINTENA. Rare cases of NMS occurred during aripiprazole treatment in the worldwide clinical database. Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. The diagnostic evaluation of patients with this syndrome is complicated.
In arriving at a diagnosis, it is important to exclude cases where the clinical presentation includes both serious medical illness (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection) and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (EPS). Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous system pathology. The management of NMS should include: 1) immediate discontinuation of antipsychotic drugs and other drugs not essential to concurrent therapy; 2) intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring; and 3) treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific treatments are available. There is no general agreement about specific pharmacological treatment regimens for uncomplicated NMS. If a patient requires antipsychotic drug treatment after recovery from NMS, the potential reintroduction of drug therapy should be carefully considered.
The patient should be carefully monitored, since recurrences of NMS have been reported.
Tardive Dyskinesia
A syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Although the prevalence of the syndrome appears to be highest among the elderly, especially elderly women, it is impossible to rely upon prevalence estimates to predict, at the inception of antipsychotic treatment, which patients are likely to develop the syndrome. Whether antipsychotic drug products differ in their potential to cause tardive dyskinesia is unknown.
The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase as the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose of antipsychotic drugs administered to the patient increase. However, the syndrome can develop, although much less commonly, after relatively brief treatment periods at low doses. Tardive dyskinesia may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is withdrawn.
Antipsychotic treatment, itself, however, may suppress (or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome and, thereby, may possibly mask the underlying process. The effect of symptomatic suppression on the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown. Given these considerations, ABILIFY MAINTENA should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia.
Chronic antipsychotic treatment should generally be reserved for patients who suffer from a chronic illness that 1) is known to respond to antipsychotic drugs and 2) for whom alternative, equally effective, but potentially less harmful treatments are not available or appropriate. In patients who do require chronic treatment, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment producing a satisfactory clinical response should be sought. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically.
If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA drug discontinuation should be considered. However, some patients may require treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA despite the presence of the syndrome.
Metabolic Changes Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that
include hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. While all drugs in the class have been shown to produce some metabolic changes, each drug has its own specific risk profile. Hyperglycemia/Diabetes Mellitus Hyperglycemia, in some cases extreme and associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics.
There have been reports of hyperglycemia in patients treated with aripiprazole. Assessment of the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and glucose abnormalities is complicated by the possibility of an increased background risk of diabetes mellitus in patients with schizophrenia and the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in the general population. Given these confounders, the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and hyperglycemia-related adverse reactions is not completely understood.
However, epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of hyperglycemia-related adverse reactions in patients treated with the atypical antipsychotics. Patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who are started on atypical antipsychotics should be monitored regularly for worsening of glucose control. Patients with risk factors for diabetes mellitus (e.g., obesity, family history of diabetes), who are starting treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing at the beginning of treatment and periodically during treatment.
Any patient treated with atypical antipsychotics should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Patients who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia during treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing. In some cases, hyperglycemia has resolved when the atypical antipsychotic was discontinued; however, some patients required continuation of anti-diabetic treatment despite discontinuation of the atypical antipsychotic drug.
In a short-term, placebo-controlled randomized trial in adults with schizophrenia, the mean change in fasting glucose was +9.8 mg/dL (N=88) in the ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients and +0.7 mg/dL (N=59) in the placebo-treated patients. Table 5 shows the proportion of ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients with normal and borderline fasting glucose at baseline and their changes in fasting glucose measurements. Table 5: Proportion of Patients with Potential Clinically Relevant Changes in Fasting Glucose from a 12-Week Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trial in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia Category Change (at least once) from Baseline Treatment Arm n/N N = the total number of subjects who had a measurement at baseline and at least one post-baseline result. n = the number of subjects with a potentially clinically relevant shift. % Fasting Glucose Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥126 mg/dL) ABILIFY MAINTENA 7/88
Placebo 0/75 0.0 Borderline to High (≥100 mg/dL and <126 mg/dL to
≥126 mg/dL) ABILIFY MAINTENA 1/33
Placebo 3/33 9.1 During a 52-week, open-label bipolar I disorder study in
those patients who initiated ABILIFY MAINTENA treatment, 1.1% with normal baseline fasting glucose experienced a shift to high while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA and 9.8% with borderline fasting glucose experienced a shift to high. Combined, 2.9% of these patients with normal or borderline fasting glucose experienced shifts to high fasting glucose during this trial. Dyslipidemia Undesirable alterations in lipids have been observed in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics.
Table 6 shows the proportion of adult patients from one short-term, placebo-controlled randomized trial in adults with schizophrenia taking ABILIFY MAINTENA, with changes in total cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, fasting LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Table 6: Proportion of Patients with Potential Clinically Relevant Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters From a 12-Week Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trial in Adults with Schizophrenia Treatment Arm n/N N = the total number of subjects who had a measurement at baseline and at least one post-baseline result. n = the number of subjects with a potentially clinically relevant shift. % Total Cholesterol Normal to High (<200 mg/dL to ≥240 mg/dL) ABILIFY MAINTENA 3/83
Placebo 2/73 2.7 Borderline to High (200~<240 mg/dL to ≥240 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 6/27
Placebo 2/19 10.5 Any increase (≥40 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 15/122
Placebo 6/110 5.5 Fasting Triglycerides Normal to High (<150 mg/dL to ≥200
mg/dL) ABILIFY MAINTENA 7/98
Placebo 4/78 5.1 Borderline to High (150~<200 mg/dL to ≥200 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 3/11
Placebo 4/15 26.7 Any increase (≥50 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 24/122
Placebo 20/110 18.2 Fasting
LDL Cholesterol Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥160 mg/dL) ABILIFY MAINTENA 1/59
Placebo 1/51 2.0 Borderline to High (100~<160 mg/dL to ≥160 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 5/52
Placebo 1/41 2.4 Any increase (≥30 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 17/120
Placebo 9/103 8.7
HDL Cholesterol Normal to Low (≥40 mg/dL to <40 mg/dL) ABILIFY MAINTENA 14/104
Placebo 11/87 12.6 Any decrease (≥20 mg/dL)
ABILIFY MAINTENA 7/122
Placebo 12/110 10.9 During a 52-week, open-label bipolar I disorder study in
those patients who initiated ABILIFY MAINTENA, shifts from baseline in fasting cholesterol from normal to high were reported in 2.1% (total cholesterol) and 2.2% (LDL cholesterol) and shifts from baseline from normal to low were reported in 8.5% (HDL cholesterol). Of these patients with normal baseline triglycerides, 3.6% experienced shifts to high, and 0.0% experienced shifts to very high. Combined, 1.0% of these patients with normal or borderline fasting triglycerides experienced shifts to very high fasting triglycerides during this trial. Weight Gain Weight gain has been observed with atypical antipsychotic use.
Clinical monitoring of weight is recommended. In one short-term, placebo-controlled trial in adult patients with schizophrenia with ABILIFY MAINTENA, the mean change in body weight at Week 12 was +3.5 kg (N=99) in the ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients and +0.8 kg (N=66) in the placebo-treated patients. Table 7 shows the percentage of adult patients with schizophrenia with weight gain ≥7% of body weight in a short-term, placebo-controlled trial with ABILIFY MAINTENA. Table 7: Percentage of Patients From a 12-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia with Weight Gain ≥7% of Body Weight Treatment Arm N N = the total number of subjects who had a measurement at baseline and at least one post-baseline result.
Patients n (%) Weight gain ≥7% of body weight ABILIFY MAINTENA 144 31 Placebo 141 12 During a 52-week, open-label bipolar I disorder study in those patients who initiated ABILIFY MAINTENA, 1.8% discontinued ABILIFY MAINTENA treatment due to weight increase. ABILIFY MAINTENA was associated with mean increase from baseline in weight of 1.0 kg at week 52. In this trial, 21.4% of these patients demonstrated ≥7% increase in body weight and 15.4% demonstrated a ≥7% decrease in body weight.
Pathological Gambling and Other Compulsive Behaviors Post-marketing case reports suggest that patients
can experience intense urges, particularly for gambling, and the inability to control these urges while taking aripiprazole. Other compulsive urges, reported less frequently, include: sexual urges, shopping, eating or binge eating, and other impulsive or compulsive behaviors. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to ask patients or their caregivers specifically about the development of new or intense gambling urges, compulsive sexual urges, compulsive shopping, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges while being treated with aripiprazole.
It should be noted that impulse-control symptoms can be associated with the underlying disorder. In some cases, although not all, urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced, or the medication was discontinued. Compulsive behaviors may result in harm to the patient and others if not recognized.
Consider dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges.
Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope
ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause orthostatic hypotension, perhaps due to its α 1 -adrenergic receptor antagonism. In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial in adults with schizophrenia, the adverse event of presyncope was reported in 1/167 (0.6%) of patients treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA, while syncope and orthostatic hypotension were each reported in 1/172 (0.6%) of patients treated with placebo. During the stabilization phase of the randomized-withdrawal (maintenance) study in adult patients with schizophrenia, orthostasis-related adverse events were reported in 4/576 (0.7%) of patients treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA, including abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (1/576, 0.2%), postural dizziness (1/576, 0.2%), presyncope (1/576, 0.2%) and orthostatic hypotension (1/576, 0.2%). In the short-term placebo-controlled trial in adults with schizophrenia, there were no patients in either treatment group with a significant orthostatic change in blood pressure (defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure ≥20 mmHg accompanied by an increase in heart rate ≥25 bpm when comparing standing to supine values). During the stabilization phase of the randomized-withdrawal (maintenance) study in adult patients with schizophrenia, the incidence of significant orthostatic change in blood pressure was 0.2% (1/575).
Falls Antipsychotics, including
ABILIFY MAINTENA, may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, motor and sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures or other injuries. For patients with diseases, conditions, or medications that could exacerbate these effects, complete fall risk assessments when initiating antipsychotic treatment and recurrently for patients on long-term antipsychotic therapy.
Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis
In clinical trials and post-marketing experience, leukopenia and neutropenia have been reported temporally related to antipsychotic agents, including ABILIFY MAINTENA. Agranulocytosis has also been reported. Possible risk factors for leukopenia/neutropenia include pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC)/absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and a history of drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia. In patients with a history of a clinically significant low WBC/ANC or drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia, perform a complete blood count (CBC) frequently during the first few months of therapy.
In such patients, consider discontinuation of ABILIFY MAINTENA at the first sign of a clinically significant decline in WBC in the absence of other causative factors. Monitor patients with clinically significant neutropenia for fever or other symptoms or signs of infection and treat promptly if such symptoms or signs occur. Discontinue ABILIFY MAINTENA in patients with severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1000/mm 3 ) and follow their WBC counts until recovery. 5.10 Seizures As with other antipsychotic drugs, use ABILIFY MAINTENA cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold.
Conditions that lower the seizure threshold may be more prevalent in a population of 65 years or older. 5.11 Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment ABILIFY MAINTENA, like other antipsychotics, may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Patients should be cautioned about performing activities that require mental alertness such as operating hazardous machinery, or operating a motor vehicle, until they are reasonably certain that therapy with ABILIFY MAINTENA does not affect them adversely. 5.12 Body Temperature Regulation Disruption of the body's ability to reduce core body temperature has been attributed to antipsychotic agents. Appropriate care is advised when prescribing ABILIFY MAINTENA for patients who will be experiencing conditions which may contribute to an elevation in core body temperature, (e.g., exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, receiving concomitant medication with anticholinergic activity, or being subject to dehydration). 5.13 Dysphagia Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotic drug use, including ABILIFY MAINTENA. ABILIFY MAINTENA and other antipsychotic drugs should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia .
Drug Interactions with Abilify Maintena
Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with
ABILIFY MAINTENA Table 9: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with ABILIFY MAINTENA: Concomitant Drug Name or Drug Class Clinical Rationale Clinical Recommendation Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) or strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., paroxetine, fluoxetine) The concomitant use of oral aripiprazole with strong CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 inhibitors increased the exposure of aripiprazole. With concomitant use of ABILIFY MAINTENA with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or CYP2D6 inhibitor for more than 14 days, reduce the ABILIFY MAINTENA dosage. Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., carbamazepine) The concomitant use of oral aripiprazole and carbamazepine decreased the exposure of aripiprazole.
Avoid use of ABILIFY MAINTENA in combination with carbamazepine and other inducers of CYP3A4 for greater than 14 days . Antihypertensive Drugs Due to its alpha-adrenergic antagonism, aripiprazole has the potential to enhance the effect of certain antihypertensive agents. Monitor blood pressure and adjust dose accordingly. Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam) The intensity of sedation was greater with the combination of oral aripiprazole and lorazepam as compared to that observed with aripiprazole alone.
The orthostatic hypotension observed was greater with the combination as compared to that observed with lorazepam alone. Monitor sedation and blood pressure. Adjust dose accordingly.
Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with
ABILIFY MAINTENA Based on pharmacokinetic studies with oral aripiprazole, no dosage adjustment of ABILIFY MAINTENA is required when administered concomitantly with famotidine, valproate, lithium, lorazepam . In addition, no dosage adjustment is necessary for substrates of CYP2D6 (e.g., dextromethorphan, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or venlafaxine), CYP2C9 (e.g., warfarin), CYP2C19 (e.g., omeprazole, warfarin), or CYP3A4 (e.g., dextromethorphan) when coadministered with ABILIFY MAINTENA. Additionally, no dosage adjustment is necessary for valproate, lithium, lamotrigine, lorazepam, or sertraline when coadministered with ABILIFY MAINTENA. .
Pregnancy Safety for Abilify Maintena
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to ABILIFY MAINTENA during pregnancy. For more information contact the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics at 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/. Risk Summary Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs, including ABILIFY MAINTENA, during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery (see Clinical Considerations ). Overall available data from published epidemiologic studies of pregnant women exposed to aripiprazole have not established a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal outcomes. There are risks to the mother associated with untreated schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder and with exposure to antipsychotics, including ABILIFY MAINTENA, during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ). Aripiprazole exposure during pregnancy may decrease milk supply in the post-partum period . In animal reproduction studies, oral and intravenous aripiprazole administration during organogenesis in rats and/or rabbits at doses 10 and 11 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) produced fetal death, decreased fetal weight, undescended testicles, delayed skeletal ossification, skeletal abnormalities, and diaphragmatic hernia.
Oral and intravenous aripiprazole administration during the pre- and post-natal period in rats at doses 10 times the MRHD produced prolonged gestation, stillbirths, decreased pup weight, and decreased pup survival (see Data ). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk There is a risk to the mother from untreated schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder, including increased risk of relapse, hospitalization, and suicide. Schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder are associated with increased adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth. It is not known if this is a direct result of the illness or other comorbid factors.
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms, including agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress and feeding disorder have been reported in neonates who were exposed to antipsychotic drugs (including oral aripiprazole) during the third trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms have varied in severity. Some neonates recovered within hours or days without specific treatment; others required prolonged hospitalization.
Monitor neonates exhibiting extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms and manage symptoms appropriately. Data Animal Data In animal studies, aripiprazole demonstrated developmental toxicity, including possible teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits. Pregnant rats were treated with oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day which are approximately 1 to 10 times the MRHD of 30 mg/day on a mg/m 2 basis of aripiprazole during the period of organogenesis.
Treatment at the highest dose caused a slight prolongation of gestation and delay in fetal development, as evidenced by decreased fetal weight and undescended testes. Delayed skeletal ossification was observed at 3 and 10 times the oral MRHD on mg/m 2 basis. At 3 and 10 times the oral MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis, delivered offspring had decreased body weights.
Increased incidences of hepatodiaphragmatic nodules and diaphragmatic hernia were observed in offspring from the highest dose group (the other dose groups were not examined for these findings). Postnatally, delayed vaginal opening was seen at 3 and 10 times the oral MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis and impaired reproductive performance (decreased fertility rate, corpora lutea, implants, live fetuses, and increased post-implantation loss, likely mediated through effects on female offspring) along with some maternal toxicity were seen at the highest dose; however, there was no evidence to suggest that these developmental effects were secondary to maternal toxicity. In pregnant rats treated with aripiprazole intravenously at doses of 3, 9, and 27 mg/kg/day, which are 1 to 9 times the oral MRHD on mg/m 2 basis, during the period of organogenesis, decreased fetal weight and delayed skeletal ossification were seen at the highest dose which also caused maternal toxicity. In pregnant rabbits treated with oral doses of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg/day which are 2 to 11 times human exposure at the oral MRHD based on AUC and 6 to 65 times the oral MRHD of aripiprazole on mg/m 2 basis during the period of organogenesis, decreased maternal food consumption and increased abortions were seen at the highest dose as well as increased fetal mortality.
Decreased fetal weight and increased incidence of fused sternebrae were observed at 3 and 11 times the MRHD based on AUC. In pregnant rabbits receiving aripiprazole injection intravenously at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day, which are 2 to 19 times the oral MRHD on mg/m 2 basis during the period of organogenesis, the highest dose caused pronounced maternal toxicity that resulted in decreased fetal weight, increased fetal abnormalities (primarily skeletal), and decreased fetal skeletal ossification. The fetal no-effect dose was 5 times the human exposure at the oral MRHD based on AUC and is 6 times the oral MRHD on mg/m 2 basis. In rats treated with oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day, which are 1 to 10 times the oral MRHD of aripiprazole on a mg/m 2 basis, peri- and post-natally (from Day 17 of gestation through Day 21 postpartum), slight maternal toxicity and slightly prolonged gestation were seen at the highest dose.
An increase in stillbirths and decreases in pup weight (persisting into adulthood) and survival were also seen at this dose. In rats treated with aripiprazole intravenously at doses of 3, 8, and 20 mg/kg/day which are 1 to 6 times the oral MRHD on mg/m 2 basis from Day 6 of gestation through Day 20 postpartum, increased stillbirths were seen at 3 and 6 times the MRHD on mg/m 2 basis, and decreases in early postnatal pup weight and survival were seen at the highest dose; these doses produced some maternal toxicity. There were no effects on postnatal behavioral and reproductive development.
Pediatric Use of Abilify Maintena
Pediatric Use ABILIFY MAINTENA has not been studied in children 18 years of age or younger. However, juvenile animal studies have been conducted in rats and dogs. Juvenile Animal Studies Aripiprazole in juvenile rats caused mortality, CNS clinical signs, impaired memory and learning, and delayed sexual maturation when administered at oral doses of 10, 20, 40 mg/kg/day from weaning (21 days old) through maturity (80 days old). At 40 mg/kg/day, mortality, decreased activity, splayed hind limbs, hunched posture, ataxia, tremors and other CNS signs were observed in both genders.
In addition, delayed sexual maturation was observed in males. At all doses and in a dose-dependent manner, impaired memory and learning, increased motor activity, and histopathology changes in the pituitary (atrophy), adrenals (adrenocortical hypertrophy), mammary glands (hyperplasia and increased secretion), and female reproductive organs (vaginal mucification, endometrial atrophy, decrease in ovarian corpora lutea) were observed. The changes in female reproductive organs were considered secondary to the increase in prolactin serum levels.
A No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) could not be determined and, at the lowest tested dose of 10 mg/kg/day, there is no safety margin relative to the systemic exposures (AUC 0-24 ) for aripiprazole or its major active metabolite in adolescents at the maximum recommended pediatric dose of 15 mg/day. All drug-related effects were reversible after a 2-month recovery period, and most of the drug effects in juvenile rats were also observed in adult rats from previously conducted studies. Aripiprazole in juvenile dogs (2 months old) caused CNS clinical signs of tremors, hypoactivity, ataxia, recumbency and limited use of hind limbs when administered orally for 6 months at 3, 10, 30 mg/kg/day.
Mean body weight and weight gain were decreased up to 18% in females in all drug groups relative to control values. A NOAEL could not be determined and, at the lowest tested dose of 3 mg/kg/day, there is no safety margin relative to the systemic exposures (AUC 0-24 ) for aripiprazole or its major active metabolite in adolescents at the maximum recommended pediatric dose of 15 mg/day. All drug-related effects were reversible after a 2-month recovery period.
Contraindications for Abilify Maintena
is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to aripiprazole. Hypersensitivity reactions ranging from pruritus/urticaria to anaphylaxis have been reported in patients receiving aripiprazole . Known hypersensitivity to aripiprazole
Overdosage Information for Abilify Maintena
Human Experience The largest known case of acute ingestion with a known outcome involved 1260 mg of oral aripiprazole (42 times the maximum recommended daily dose) in a patient who fully recovered. Common adverse reactions (reported in at least 5% of all overdose cases) reported with oral aripiprazole overdosage (alone or in combination with other substances) include vomiting, somnolence, and tremor. Other clinically important signs and symptoms observed in one or more patients with aripiprazole overdoses (alone or with other substances) include acidosis, aggression, aspartate aminotransferase increased, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, coma, confusional state, convulsion, blood creatine phosphokinase increased, depressed level of consciousness, hypertension, hypokalemia, hypotension, lethargy, loss of consciousness, QRS complex prolonged, QT prolonged, pneumonia aspiration, respiratory arrest, status epilepticus, and tachycardia.
Management of Overdosage In case of overdosage, call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
Clinical Studies of Abilify Maintena
Schizophrenia
The efficacy of ABILIFY MAINTENA for treatment of schizophrenia was established in: One short-term (12-week), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in acutely relapsed adults, Protocol 31-12-291 (Study 1) One longer-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal (maintenance) trial in adults, Protocol 31-07-246 (Study 2). Short-Term Efficacy In the short-term (12-week), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in acutely relapsed adults (Study 1), the primary measure used for assessing psychiatric signs and symptoms was the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The PANSS is a 30-item scale that measures positive symptoms of schizophrenia (7 items), negative symptoms of schizophrenia (7 items), and general psychopathology (16 items), each rated on a scale of 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme); total PANSS scores range from 30 to 210. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in PANSS total score to week 10. The inclusion criteria for this short-term trial included adult inpatients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia. In addition, all patients entering the trial must have experienced an acute psychotic episode as defined by both PANSS Total Score ≥80 and a PANSS score of >4 on each of four specific psychotic symptoms (conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, suspiciousness/persecution, unusual thought content) at screening and baseline. The key secondary endpoint was the change from baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) assessment scale to week 10. The CGI-S rates the severity of mental illness on a scale of 1 (normal) to 7 (among the most extremely ill) based on the total clinical experience of the rater in treating patients with schizophrenia.
Patients had a mean PANSS total score of 103 (range 82 to 144) and a CGI-S score of 5.2 (markedly ill) at entry. In this 12-week study (n=339) comparing ABILIFY MAINTENA (n=167) to placebo (n=172), patients were administered ABILIFY MAINTENA 400 mg or placebo on Days 0, 28, and 56. The dose could be adjusted down and up within the range of 400 to 300 mg on a one-time basis. ABILIFY MAINTENA was superior to placebo in improving the PANSS total score at the end of week 10 (see Table 10 ). Table 10: Schizophrenia Short-term Study Study Number Treatment Group Primary Efficacy Measure: PANSS Total Score Mean Baseline Score (SD) LS Mean Change from Baseline (SE) Placebo-subtracted Difference Difference (drug minus placebo) in least-squares mean change from baseline. (95% CI) SD: standard deviation; SE: standard error; LS Mean: least-squares mean; CI: unadjusted confidence interval.
Study 1 ABILIFY MAINTENA (400 to 300 mg) 102.4 -26.8 -15.1 (-19.4, -10.8) Placebo 103.4 -11.7 -- The change in PANSS total score by week is shown in Figure 24. ABILIFY MAINTENA also showed improvement in symptoms represented by CGI-S score mean change from baseline to week 10. The results of exploratory subgroup analyses by gender, race, age, ethnicity, and BMI were similar to the results of the overall population. Figure 24: Weekly PANSS Total Score-Change in the 12-Week, Placebo-Controlled Study with ABILIFY MAINTENA n = the number of patients remaining in the respective study arm at each time point Figure 24 Longer-Term Efficacy The efficacy of ABILIFY MAINTENA in maintaining symptomatic control in schizophrenia was established in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal trial in adult patients (Study 2) who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia and who were being treated with at least one antipsychotic medication. Patients had at least a 3-year history of illness and a history of relapse or symptom exacerbation when not receiving antipsychotic treatment.
In addition to the PANSS and CGI-S, clinical ratings during this trial included the: Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale, a scale of 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse) based on the change from baseline in clinical condition and Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Suicide (CGI-SS) scale, which is comprised of 2 parts: Part 1 rates the severity of suicidal thoughts and behavior on a scale of 1 (not at all suicidal) to 5 (attempted suicide) based on the most severe level in the last 7 days from all information available to the rater and Part 2 rates the change from baseline in suicidal thoughts and behavior on a scale of 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). This trial included: A 4 to 6 week open-label, oral conversion phase for patients on antipsychotic medications other than aripiprazole. A total of 633 patients entered this phase. An open-label, oral aripiprazole stabilization phase (target dose of 10 mg to 30 mg once daily). A total of 710 patients entered this phase.
Patients were 18 to 60 years old (mean 40 years) and 60% were male. The mean PANSS total score was 66 (range 33 to 124). The mean CGI-S score was 3.5 (mildly to moderately ill). Prior to the next phase, stabilization was required. Stabilization was defined as having all of the following for four consecutive weeks: an outpatient status, PANSS total score ≤80, CGI-S ≤4 (moderately ill), and CGI-SS score ≤2 (mildly suicidal) on Part 1 and ≤5 (minimally worsened) on Part 2; and a score of ≤4 on each of the following PANSS items: conceptual disorganization, suspiciousness, hallucinatory behavior, and unusual thought content.
A minimum 12-week uncontrolled, single-blind ABILIFY MAINTENA stabilization phase (treatment with 400 mg of ABILIFY MAINTENA given every 4 weeks in conjunction with oral aripiprazole for the first 2 weeks). The dose of ABILIFY MAINTENA may have been decreased to 300 mg due to adverse reactions. A total of 576 patients entered this phase. The mean PANSS total score was 59 (range 30 to 80) and the mean CGI-S score was 3.2 (mildly ill). Prior to the next phase, stabilization was required (see above for the definition of stabilization) for 12 consecutive weeks.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized-withdrawal phase to observe for relapse (defined below). A total of 403 patients were randomized 2:1 to the same dose of ABILIFY MAINTENA they were receiving at the end of the stabilization phase, (400 mg or 300 mg administered once every 4 weeks) or placebo. Patients had a mean PANSS total score of 55 (range 31 to 80) and a CGI-S score of 2.9 (mildly ill) at entry. The dose could be adjusted up and down or down and up within the range of 300 to 400 mg on a one-time basis.
The primary efficacy endpoint was time from randomization to relapse. Relapse was defined as the first occurrence of one or more of the following criteria: CGI-I of ≥5 (minimally worse) and an increase on any of the following individual PANSS items (conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, suspiciousness, unusual thought content) to a score >4 with an absolute increase of ≥2 on that specific item since randomization or an increase on any of the following individual PANSS items (conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, suspiciousness, unusual thought content) to a score >4 and an absolute increase ≥4 on the combined four PANSS items (conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, suspiciousness, unusual thought content) since randomization Hospitalization due to worsening of psychotic symptoms (including partial hospitalization), but excluding hospitalization for psychosocial reasons CGI-SS of 4 (severely suicidal) or 5 (attempted suicide) on Part 1 and/or 6 (much worse) or 7 (very much worse) on Part 2, or Violent behavior resulting in clinically significant self-injury, injury to another person, or property damage. A pre-planned interim analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly longer time to relapse in patients randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group compared to placebo-treated patients and the trial was subsequently terminated early because maintenance of efficacy was demonstrated.
The final analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly longer time to relapse in patients randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group than compared to placebo-treated patients. The Kaplan-Meier curves of the cumulative proportion of patients with relapse during the double-blind treatment phase for ABILIFY MAINTENA and placebo groups are shown in Figure 25. Figure 25: Kaplan-Meier Estimation of Cumulative Proportion of Patients with Relapse This figure is based on a total of 80 relapse events. The key secondary efficacy endpoint, percentage of subjects meeting the relapse criteria, was statistically significantly lower in patients randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group (10%) than in the placebo group (40%). Figure 25
Bipolar I Disorder – Maintenance Monotherapy
The efficacy of ABILIFY MAINTENA for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder was established in a 52-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial in adult patients who were experiencing a manic episode at trial entry, met DSM-IV-TR criteria for bipolar I disorder, and had a history of at least one previous manic or mixed episode with manic symptoms of sufficient severity to require one of the following interventions: hospitalization and/or treatment with a mood stabilizer, and/or treatment with an antipsychotic agent. Clinical ratings during this trial included: Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)-an 11-item, clinician-rated scale used to assess the degree of manic symptomatology, in a range with 0 representing no symptoms, and 60 representing worst symptoms. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) – a 10-item clinician-related scale used to assess the degree of depressive symptomatology, with 1 representing no symptoms, and 60 representing worst symptoms.
Clinical Global Impression Bipolar Version Severity of Illness (CGI-BP-S) a scale of 1 (normal, not at all ill) to 7 (very severely ill patient) based on the patient's severity of illness mania, depression, and overall bipolar illness. This trial included: A 4 to 6 week, open-label, oral conversion phase for patients on treatments for bipolar I disorder other than aripiprazole. A total of 466 patients entered this phase.
A 2 to 8 week, open-label, oral aripiprazole stabilization phase (target dose of 15 mg to 30 mg once daily). A total of 632 patients entered this phase. Patients were 18 to 65 years old (mean 40.7 years) and 60% were female. The mean (range) baseline scores were: YMRS total,
MADRS total, 5.7, and
CGI-BP-S overall, 3.4 (mildly to moderately ill). Prior to the next phase, stabilization was required. Stabilization was defined as having all of the following at one bi-weekly visit: Outpatient status, YMRS total score ≤12, MADRS total score ≤12, no active suicidality; with active suicidality defined as a score of 4 or more on the MADRS item 10 OR an answer of "yes" on question 4 or 5 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). A minimum 12-week, uncontrolled, single-blind ABILIFY MAINTENA stabilization phase (treatment with 400 mg of ABILIFY MAINTENA given every 4 weeks in conjunction with oral aripiprazole for the first 2 weeks). The dose of ABILIFY MAINTENA was allowed to be decreased to 300 mg due to adverse reactions. A total of 425 patients entered this phase.
The mean (range) baseline scores were: YMRS total, 5.8, MADRS total 3.7, and CGI-BP-S overall, 2.1 (minimally ill). Prior to the next phase, stabilization was required (see above for the definition of stabilization) for 8 consecutive weeks starting at week 6. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal phase to observe for recurrence to a mood episode (defined below) for up to 52 weeks. A total of 266 patients were randomized 1:1 to the same dose of ABILIFY MAINTENA they were receiving at the end of the stabilization phase, (400 mg or 300 mg administered once every 4 weeks) or placebo. The mean (range) baseline scores were: YMRS total, 2.8 (0 to 12), MADRS total, 2.7 (0 to 12), and CGI-S overall, 1.7 (minimally ill). The dose could be decreased to 300 mg for tolerability and returned once to 400 mg.
The primary efficacy endpoint was time from randomization to recurrence of any mood episode. Recurrence was defined as the first occurrence of one or more of the following criteria: Hospitalization for any mood episode OR Any of the following: YMRS total score ≥15 OR MADRS total score ≥15 OR Clinical Global Impression - Bipolar Version-Severity (CGI-BP-S) score >4 (overall score) OR Serious adverse event (SAE) of worsening disease (bipolar I disorder) OR Discontinuation due to lack of efficacy or discontinuation due to an adverse event (AE) of worsening disease OR Clinical worsening with the need for addition of a mood stabilizer, antidepressant treatment, antipsychotic medication, and/or increase greater than the allowed benzodiazepine doses for treatment of symptoms of an underlying mood disorder OR Active suicidality, which is defined as a score of 4 or more on the MADRS item 10 OR an answer of "yes" on question 4 or 5 on the C-SSRS Analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly longer time to recurrence of any mood episode in subjects randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group than compared to placebo-treated subjects. The Kaplan-Meier curves of the time of recurrence to any mood episode during the double-blind treatment phase for ABILIFY MAINTENA and placebo groups are shown in Figure 26. Figure 26: Kaplan-Meier Estimation of Cumulative Recurrence Rate for Any Mood Episode This figure is based on a total of 103 recurrence events.
Analysis by type of mood recurrence demonstrated a statistically significantly longer time to recurrence for both manic and mixed mood episodes in subjects treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA compared to those treated with placebo. There was no substantial difference between treatment groups in delaying time to recurrence of depressive mood episodes. An examination of subgroups did not reveal any clear evidence of differential responsiveness on the basis of age, sex, or race.
Figure 26
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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