Opipza Drug Information
Generic name: ARIPIPRAZOLE
Atypical Antipsychotic [EPC]
Uses of Opipza
is indicated for the: treatment of schizophrenia in patients ages 13 years and older adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older treatment of Tourette's disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older OPIPZA is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for: treatment of schizophrenia in patients ages 13 years and older adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older treatment of Tourette's disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older
Dosage & Administration of Opipza
| Schizophrenia (adults) ( | 10 to 15 mg/day |
|---|---|
| Schizophrenia – (pediatric patients 13 years and older) ( | 2 mg/day |
| Adjunctive Treatment of MDD (adults) ( | 2 to 5 mg/day |
| Irritability associated with autistic disorder (pediatric patients 6 years and older) ( | 2 mg/day |
| Tourette's disorder (pediatric patients 6 years and older) ( | < 50 kg |
| ≥ 50 kg | 2 mg/day |
Side Effects of Opipza
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. The safety of OPIPZA for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia in patients 13 years and older, adjunctive treatment of adults with MDD, treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older, and treatment of Tourette's disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older is based on adequate and well-controlled studies of another oral aripiprazole product. Below is a display of adverse reactions of oral aripiprazole (referred to as "aripiprazole" in this section) from those adequate and well-controlled studies.
Aripiprazole has been evaluated for safety in 13,543 adult patients who participated in multiple-dose, clinical trials in schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and other indications, and who had approximately 7,619 patient-years of exposure to oral aripiprazole. A total of 3,390 patients were treated with oral aripiprazole for at least 180 days and 1,933 patients treated with oral aripiprazole had at least one year of exposure. Aripiprazole has been evaluated for safety in 1,686 pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) who participated in multiple-dose, clinical trials in schizophrenia, autistic disorder, Tourette's disorder or other indications who had approximately 1,342 patient-years of exposure to oral aripiprazole.
A total of 959 pediatric patients were treated with oral aripiprazole for at least 180 days and 556 pediatric patients treated with oral aripiprazole had at least one year of exposure. The conditions and duration of treatment with aripiprazole (monotherapy and adjunctive therapy with antidepressants or mood stabilizers) included (in overlapping categories) double-blind, comparative and noncomparative open-label studies, inpatient and outpatient studies, fixed- and flexible-dose studies, and short- and longer-term exposure. The most common adverse reactions of aripiprazole in adult patients in clinical trials (≥10%) were nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, akathisia, anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness.
The most common adverse reactions of aripiprazole in the pediatric clinical trials (≥10%) were somnolence, headache, vomiting, extrapyramidal disorder, fatigue, increased appetite, insomnia, nausea, nasopharyngitis, and weight increased. Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia The following findings are based on a pool of five placebo-controlled trials (four 4 week and one 6 week) in which oral aripiprazole was administered in doses ranging from 2 mg/day to 30 mg/day. The commonly observed adverse reaction associated with the use of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) was akathisia (aripiprazole 8%; placebo 4%). Table 13 enumerates the pooled incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of adverse reactions that occurred during acute therapy (up to 6 weeks in schizophrenia and up to 3 weeks in another indication), including only those reactions that occurred in 2% or more of patients treated with aripiprazole (doses ≥2 mg/day) and for which the incidence in patients treated with aripiprazole was greater than the incidence in patients treated with placebo in the combined dataset.
Table 13: Adverse Reactions in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials in Adult Patients Treated with Oral Aripiprazole Percentage of Patients Reporting Reaction Adverse reactions reported by at least 2% of patients treated with oral aripiprazole, except adverse reactions which had an incidence equal to or less than placebo. Preferred Term Aripiprazole (n=1,843) Placebo (n=1,166) Eye Disorders Blurred Vision 3 1 Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 15 11 Constipation 11 7 Vomiting 11 6 Dyspepsia 9 7 Dry Mouth 5 4 Toothache 4 3 Abdominal Discomfort 3 2 Stomach Discomfort 3 2 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 6 4 Pain 3 2 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Musculoskeletal Stiffness 4 3 Pain in Extremity 4 2 Myalgia 2 1 Muscle Spasms 2 1 Nervous System Disorders Headache 27 23 Dizziness 10 7 Akathisia 10 4 Sedation 7 4 Extrapyramidal Disorder 5 3 Tremor 5 3 Somnolence 5 3 Psychiatric Disorders Agitation 19 17 Insomnia 18 13 Anxiety 17 13 Restlessness 5 3 Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders Pharyngolaryngeal Pain 3 2 Cough 3 2 An examination of population subgroups did not reveal any clear evidence of differential adverse reaction incidence on the basis of age, gender, or race. Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients (13 to 17 years) with Schizophrenia The following findings are based on one 6-week, placebo-controlled trial in which oral aripiprazole was administered in doses ranging from 2 to 30 mg/day.
The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions between aripiprazole-treated and placebo-treated pediatric patients (13 to 17 years) was 5% and 2%, respectively. Commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of aripiprazole in pediatric patients 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) were extrapyramidal disorder, somnolence, and tremor. Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients (6 to 17 years) with Autistic Disorder The following findings are based on two 8 week, placebo-controlled trials in which oral aripiprazole was administered in doses of 2 to 15 mg/day.
The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions between aripiprazole-treated and placebo-treated pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) was 10% and 8%, respectively. Commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of aripiprazole in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) with autistic disorder (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) are shown in Table 14. Table 14: Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials of Pediatric Patients (6 to 17 years) with Autistic Disorder Treated with Oral Aripiprazole Percentage of Patients Reporting Reaction Preferred Term Aripiprazole (n=212) Placebo (n=101) Sedation 21 4 Fatigue 17 2 Vomiting 14 7 Somnolence 10 4 Tremor 10 0 Pyrexia 9 1 Drooling 9 0 Decreased Appetite 7 2 Salivary Hypersecretion 6 1 Extrapyramidal Disorder 6 0 Lethargy 5 0 Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients (6 to 18 years) with Tourette's Disorder The following findings are based on one 8 week and one 10 week, placebo-controlled trials in which oral aripiprazole was administered in doses of 2 to 20 mg/day. The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions between aripiprazole-treated and placebo-treated pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) was 7% and 1%, respectively.
Commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of aripiprazole in pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) with Tourette's disorder (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) are shown in Table 15. Table 15: Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials of Pediatric Patients (6 to 18 years) with Tourette's Disorder Treated with Oral Aripiprazole Percentage of Patients Reporting Reaction Preferred Term Aripiprazole (n=121) Placebo (n=72) Sedation 13 6 Somnolence 13 1 Nausea 11 4 Headache 10 3 Nasopharyngitis 9 0 Fatigue 8 0 Increased Appetite 7 1 Table 16 enumerates the pooled incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of adverse reactions that occurred during acute therapy (up to 6 weeks in schizophrenia, up to 4 weeks in another indication, up to 8 weeks in autistic disorder, and up to 10 weeks in Tourette's disorder), including only those reactions that occurred in 2% or more of pediatric patients treated with aripiprazole (doses ≥2 mg/day) and for which the incidence in patients treated with aripiprazole was greater than the incidence in patients treated with placebo. Table 16: Adverse Reactions in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Trials of Pediatric Patients (6 to 18 years) Treated with Oral Aripiprazole Percentage of Patients Reporting Reaction Adverse reactions reported by at least 2% of pediatric patients treated with oral aripiprazole, except adverse reactions which had an incidence equal to or less than placebo. Preferred Term Aripiprazole (n=732) Placebo (n=370) Eye Disorders Blurred Vision 3 0 Gastrointestinal Disorders Abdominal Discomfort 2 1 Vomiting 8 7 Nausea 8 4 Diarrhea 4 3 Salivary Hypersecretion 4 1 Abdominal Pain Upper 3 2 Constipation 2 2 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 10 2 Pyrexia 4 1 Irritability 2 1 Asthenia 2 1 Infections and Infestations Nasopharyngitis 6 3 Investigations Weight Increased 3 1 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Increased Appetite 7 3 Decreased Appetite 5 4 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Musculoskeletal Stiffness 2 1 Muscle Rigidity 2 1 Nervous System Disorders Somnolence 16 4 Headache 12 10 Sedation 9 2 Tremor 9 1 Extrapyramidal Disorder 6 1 Akathisia 6 4 Drooling 3 0 Lethargy 3 0 Dizziness 3 2 Dystonia 2 1 Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders Epistaxis 2 1 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash 2 1 Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients Receiving Aripiprazole as Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder The following findings are based on a pool of two placebo-controlled trials of patients with major depressive disorder in which aripiprazole was administered at doses of 2 to 20 mg as adjunctive treatment to continued antidepressant therapy.
The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions was 6% for adjunctive aripiprazole-treated patients and 2% for adjunctive placebo-treated patients. The commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of adjunctive aripiprazole in patients with major depressive disorder (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) were: akathisia, restlessness, insomnia, constipation, fatigue, and blurred vision. Table 17 enumerates the pooled incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of adverse reactions that occurred during acute therapy (up to 6 weeks), including only those adverse reactions that occurred in 2% or more of patients treated with adjunctive aripiprazole (doses ≥2 mg/day) and for which the incidence in patients treated with adjunctive aripiprazole was greater than the incidence in patients treated with adjunctive placebo in the combined dataset.
Table 17: Adverse Reactions in Short-Term, Placebo-Controlled Adjunctive Trials in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Percentage of Patients Reporting Reaction Adverse reactions reported by at least 2% of patients treated with adjunctive Aripiprazole, except adverse reactions which had an incidence equal to or less than placebo. Preferred Term Aripiprazole + ADT Antidepressant Therapy (n=371) Placebo + ADT (n=366) Eye Disorders Blurred Vision 6 1 Gastrointestinal Disorders Constipation 5 2 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 8 4 Feeling Jittery 3 1 Infections and Infestations Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 6 4 Investigations Weight Increased 3 2 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Increased Appetite 3 2 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Arthralgia 4 3 Myalgia 3 1 Nervous System Disorders Akathisia 25 4 Somnolence 6 4 Tremor 5 4 Sedation 4 2 Dizziness 4 2 Disturbance in Attention 3 1 Extrapyramidal Disorder 2 0 Psychiatric Disorders Restlessness 12 2 Insomnia 8 2 Dose-Related Adverse Reactions Schizophrenia Dose response relationships for the incidence of adverse reactions were evaluated from four trials in adult patients with schizophrenia comparing various fixed doses (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mg/day) of oral aripiprazole to placebo. This analysis, stratified by study, indicated that the adverse reaction to have a possible dose response relationship, and then most prominent only with 30 mg, was somnolence ; (incidences were placebo, 7.1%; 10 mg, 8.5%; 15 mg, 8.7%; 20 mg, 7.5%; 30 mg, 12.6%). In the study of pediatric patients (13 to 17 years of age) with schizophrenia, three common adverse reactions appeared to have a possible dose response relationship: extrapyramidal disorder (incidences were placebo, 5.0%; 10 mg, 13.0%; 30 mg, 21.6%); somnolence (incidences were placebo, 6.0%; 10 mg, 11.0%; 30 mg, 21.6%); and tremor (incidences were placebo, 2.0%; 10 mg, 2.0%; 30 mg, 11.8%). Autistic Disorder In a study of pediatric patients (6 to 17 years of age) with autistic disorder, one common adverse reaction had a possible dose response relationship: fatigue (incidences were placebo, 0%; 5 mg, 3.8%; 10 mg, 22.0%; 15 mg, 18.5%). Tourette's Disorder In a study of pediatric patients (7 to 17 years of age) with Tourette's disorder, no common adverse reaction(s) had a dose response relationship.
Extrapyramidal Symptoms Schizophrenia In short-term, placebo-controlled trials in schizophrenia in adults, the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for aripiprazole-treated patients was 13% vs. 12% for placebo; and the incidence of akathisiarelated events for aripiprazole-treated patients was 8% vs. 4% for placebo. In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of schizophrenia in pediatric patients (13 to 17 years), the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for aripiprazole-treated patients was 25% vs. 7% for placebo; and the incidence of akathisia-related events for aripiprazole-treated patients was 9% vs. 6% for placebo. Objectively collected data from those trials was collected on the Simpson Angus Rating Scale (for EPS), the Barnes Akathisia Scale (for akathisia), and the Assessments of Involuntary Movement Scales (for dyskinesias). In the adult schizophrenia trials, the objectively collected data did not show a difference between aripiprazole and placebo, with the exception of the Barnes Akathisia Scale (aripiprazole, 0.08; placebo, –0.05). In the pediatric (13 to 17 years) schizophrenia trial, the objectively collected data did not show a difference between aripiprazole and placebo, with the exception of the Simpson Angus Rating Scale (aripiprazole, 0.24; placebo, –0.29). Similarly, in a long-term (26 week), placebo-controlled trial of schizophrenia in adults, objectively collected data on the Simpson Angus Rating Scale (for EPS), the Barnes Akathisia Scale (for akathisia), and the Assessments of Involuntary Movement Scales (for dyskinesias) did not show a difference between aripiprazole and placebo.
Major Depressive Disorder In the short-term, placebo-controlled trials in major depressive disorder, the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for adjunctive aripiprazole- treated patients was 8% vs. 5% for adjunctive placebotreated patients; and the incidence of akathisia-related events for adjunctive aripiprazole-treated patients was 25% vs. 4% for adjunctive placebo-treated patients. In the major depressive disorder trials, the Simpson Angus Rating Scale and the Barnes Akathisia Scale showed a significant difference between adjunctive aripiprazole and adjunctive placebo (aripiprazole, 0.31; placebo, 0.03 and aripiprazole, 0.22; placebo, 0.02). Changes in the Assessments of Involuntary Movement Scales were similar for the adjunctive aripiprazole and adjunctive placebo groups. Autistic Disorder In the short-term, placebo-controlled trials in autistic disorder in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years), the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for aripiprazole-treated patients was 18% vs. 2% for placebo and the incidence of akathisia-related events for aripiprazole-treated patients was 3% vs. 9% for placebo.
In the pediatric (6 to 17 years) short-term autistic disorder trials, the Simpson Angus Rating Scale showed a significant difference between aripiprazole and placebo (aripiprazole, 0.1; placebo, – 0.4). Changes in the Barnes Akathisia Scale and the Assessments of Involuntary Movement Scales were similar for the aripiprazole and placebo groups. Tourette's Disorder In the short-term, placebo-controlled trials in Tourette's disorder in pediatric patients (6 to 18 years), the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for aripiprazole-treated patients was 7% vs. 6% for placebo and the incidence of akathisia-related events for aripiprazole-treated patients was 4% vs. 6% for placebo. In the pediatric (6 to 18 years) short-term Tourette's disorder trials, changes in the Simpson Angus Rating Scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale and Assessments of Involuntary Movement Scale were not clinically meaningfully different for aripiprazole and 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. Additional Findings Observed in Clinical Trials Adverse Reactions in Long-Term, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials The adverse reactions reported in a 26-week, double-blind trial comparing oral aripiprazole and placebo in patients with schizophrenia were generally consistent with those reported in the short-term, placebo-controlled trials, except for a higher incidence of tremor. In this study, the majority of the cases of tremor were of mild intensity (8/12 mild and 4/12 moderate), occurred early in therapy (9/12 ≤49 days), and were of limited duration (7/12 ≤10 days). Tremor led to discontinuation (<1%) of aripiprazole.
In addition, in a long-term (52 weeks), active-controlled study, the incidence of tremor was 5% (40/859) for aripiprazole. Other Adverse Reactions Observed During Clinical Trial Evaluation of Aripiprazole Other adverse reactions associated with aripiprazole are presented below. 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 1/1,000 patients; rare reactions are those occurring in fewer than 1/1,000 patients: Adults - Oral Administration Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: rare - thrombocytopenia Cardiac Disorders: infrequent – bradycardia, palpitations, rare – atrial flutter, cardio-respiratory arrest, atrioventricular block, atrial fibrillation, angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiopulmonary failure Eye Disorders: infrequent – photophobia; rare - diplopia Gastrointestinal Disorders: infrequent - gastroesophageal reflux disease General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: frequent - asthenia; infrequent – peripheral edema, chest pain; rare – face edema Hepatobiliary Disorders: rare - hepatitis, jaundice Immune System Disorders: rare - hypersensitivity Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications: infrequent - fall; rare- heat stroke Investigations: frequent - blood prolactin decreased, weight decreased, infrequent - hepatic enzyme increased, blood glucose increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, gamma glutamyl transferase increased; rare - blood prolactin increased, blood urea increased, blood creatinine increased, blood bilirubin increased, electrocardiogram QT prolonged, glycosylated hemoglobin increased Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: frequent – anorexia; rare - hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: infrequent - muscular weakness, muscle tightness; rare – rhabdomyolysis, mobility decreased Nervous System Disorders: infrequent - parkinsonism, memory impairment, cogwheel rigidity, hypokinesia, bradykinesia; rare – akinesia, myoclonus, coordination abnormal, speech disorder, Grand Mal convulsion; <1/10,000 patients - choreoathetosis Psychiatric Disorders: infrequent – aggression, loss of libido, delirium; rare - libido increased, anorgasmia, tic, homicidal ideation, catatonia, sleep walking Renal and Urinary Disorders: rare - urinary retention, nocturia Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: infrequent - erectile dysfunction; rare - gynaecomastia, menstruation irregular, amenorrhea, breast pain, priapism Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: infrequent - nasal congestion, dyspnea Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: infrequent - rash, hyperhidrosis, pruritus, photosensitivity reaction, alopecia; rare - urticaria Vascular Disorders: infrequent – hypotension, hypertension Pediatric Patients - Oral Administration Most adverse reactions observed in the pooled database of 1,686 pediatric patients, aged 6 to 18 years, were also observed in the adult population. Additional adverse reactions observed in the pediatric population are listed below. Eye Disorders: infrequent - oculogyric crisis Gastrointestinal Disorders: infrequent - tongue dry, tongue spasm Investigations : frequent - blood insulin increased Nervous System Disorders: infrequent - sleep talking Renal and Urinary Disorders: frequent - enuresis Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: infrequent- hirsutism
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of aripiprazole. 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), blood glucose fluctuation, Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), hiccups, oculogyric crisis, and pathological gambling.
Warnings & Cautions for Opipza
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.
OPIPZA 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 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 aripiprazole. OPIPZA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults
In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with MDD. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1,000 patients treated are provided in Table 2. Table 2: Risk Differences of the Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric OPIPZA is not approved in pediatric patients with MDD. and Adult Patients Age Range Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors per 1,000 Patients Treated Increases Compared to Placebo <18 years old 14 additional patients 18 to 24 years old 5 additional patients Decreases Compared to Placebo 25 to 64 years old 1 fewer patient ≥65 years old 6 fewer patient It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months.
However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression and that depression itself is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for any indication for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy, and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider.
Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing OPIPZA, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It should be noted that OPIPZA is not approved for use in treating depression in the pediatric population.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a potentially fatal symptom
complex has been reported with antipsychotic drugs, including aripiprazole. Rare cases of NMS have been reported during aripiprazole treatment in the global 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.
If NMS is suspected, immediately discontinue OPIPZA and provide symptomatic treatment and monitoring.
Tardive Dyskinesia 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 predict which patients will 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 appear to increase as the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose increases. However, the syndrome can develop after relatively brief treatment periods at low doses. It may also occur after discontinuation of treatment.
Tardive dyskinesia may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is discontinued. Antipsychotic treatment, itself may suppress (or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome and may possibly mask the underlying process. The effect that symptomatic suppression has upon the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown.
Given these considerations, OPIPZA 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 is known to respond to antipsychotic drugs and 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 OPIPZA, drug discontinuation should be considered. However, some patients may require treatment with OPIPZA despite the presence of the syndrome.
Metabolic Changes Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that
include hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and body 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 or hyperosmolar coma or death, have 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 events 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, including OPIPZA, 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. Adults In an analysis of 13 placebo-controlled monotherapy trials in adults, primarily with schizophrenia or another indication, the mean change in fasting glucose in aripiprazole-treated patients (+4.4 mg/dL; median exposure 25 days; N=1,057) was not significantly different than in placebo-treated patients (+2.5 mg/dL; median exposure 22 days; N=799). Table 3 shows the proportion of aripiprazole-treated patients with normal and borderline fasting glucose at baseline (median exposure 25 days) that had high fasting glucose measurements compared to placebo-treated patients (median exposure 22 days). Table 3: Changes in Fasting Glucose from Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trials in Adults Category Change (at least once) from Baseline Treatment Arm n/N % Fasting Glucose Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥126 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 31/822
Placebo 22/605 3.6 Borderline to High (≥100 mg/dL and <126 mg/dL to
≥126 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 31/176
Placebo 13/142 9.2 At 24 weeks, the mean change in fasting glucose
in aripiprazole-treated patients was not significantly different than in placebo-treated patients. The mean change in fasting glucose in adjunctive trials of aripiprazole-treated patients with major depressive disorder (+0.7 mg/dL; median exposure 42 days; N=241) was not significantly different than in placebo-treated patients (+0.8 mg/dL; median exposure 42 days; N=246). Table 4 shows the proportion of adult patients with changes in fasting glucose levels from two placebo-controlled, adjunctive trials (median exposure 42 days) in patients with major depressive disorder. Table 4: Changes in Fasting Glucose from Placebo-Controlled Adjunctive Trials in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder Category Change (at least once) from Baseline Treatment Arm n/N % Fasting Glucose Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥126 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 2/201
Placebo 2/204 1.0 Borderline to High (≥100 mg/dL and <126 mg/dL to
≥126 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 4/34
Placebo 3/37 8.1 Pediatric Patients 13 Years and Older
In an analysis of two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia and pediatric patients 10 to 17 years with another indication, the mean change in fasting glucose in aripiprazole-treated patients (+4.8 mg/dL; with a median exposure of 43 days; N=259) was not significantly different than in placebo-treated patients (+1.7 mg/dL; with a median exposure of 42 days; N=123). In an analysis of two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years with irritability associated with autistic disorder (6 to 17 years) with median exposure of 56 days, the mean change in fasting glucose in aripiprazole-treated patients (–0.2 mg/dL; N=83) was not significantly different than in placebo-treated patients (–0.6 mg/dL; N=33). In an analysis of two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients 6 to 18 years with Tourette's disorder with median exposure of 57 days, the mean change in fasting glucose in aripiprazole-treated patients (0.79 mg/dL; N=90) was not significantly different than in placebo-treated patients (–1.66 mg/dL; N=58). Table 5 shows the proportion of patients with changes in fasting glucose levels from the pooled pediatric patients (13 to 17 years) with schizophrenia and pediatric patients (10 to 17 years) with another indication (median exposure of 42 to 43 days), from two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) with irritability associated with autistic disorder (median exposure of 56 days), and from the two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) with Tourette's disorder (median exposure 57 days). Table 5: Changes in Fasting Glucose from Placebo-Controlled Trials in Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years Category Change (at least once) from Baseline Indication Treatment Arm n/N % Fasting Glucose Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥126 mg/dL) Pooled Schizophrenia and another indication Aripiprazole 2/236
Placebo 2/110 1.8 Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Aripiprazole 0/73 0 Placebo
0/32 0 Tourette's Disorder Aripiprazole 3/88
Placebo 1/58 1.7 Fasting Glucose Borderline to High (≥100 mg/dL and <126
mg/dL to ≥126 mg/dL) Pooled Schizophrenia and another indication Aripiprazole 1/22
Placebo 0/12 0 Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Aripiprazole 0/9 0 Placebo
0/1 0 Tourette's Disorder Aripiprazole 0/11 0 Placebo 0/4 0 In the pooled trials that enrolled pediatric patients 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia and another indication, the mean change in fasting glucose in aripiprazole-treated patients at 12 weeks was not significantly different than in placebotreated patients. Dyslipidemia Undesirable alterations in lipids have been observed in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. There were no significant differences between aripiprazole-treated patients and patients treated with placebo in the proportion with changes from normal to clinically significant levels for fasting/nonfasting total cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, fasting LDLs, and fasting/nonfasting HDLs.
Analyses of patients with at least 12 or 24 weeks of exposure were limited by small numbers of patients. Adults Table 6 shows the proportion of adult patients, primarily from pooled schizophrenia and another indication monotherapy placebo-controlled trials, with changes in total cholesterol (pooled from 17 trials; median exposure 21 to 25 days), fasting triglycerides (pooled from eight trials; median exposure 42 days), fasting LDL cholesterol (pooled from eight trials; median exposure 39 to 45 days, except for placebo-treated patients with baseline normal fasting LDL measurements, who had median treatment exposure of 24 days) and HDL cholesterol (pooled from nine trials; median exposure 40 to 42 days). Table 6: Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters from Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trials in Adults Treatment Arm n/N % Total Cholesterol Normal to High (<200 mg/dL to ≥240 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 34/1,357
Placebo 27/973 2.8 Fasting Triglycerides Normal to High (<150 mg/dL to ≥200
mg/dL) Aripiprazole 40/539
Placebo 30/431 7.0 Fasting
LDL Cholesterol Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥160 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 2/332
Placebo 2/268 0.7
HDL Cholesterol Normal to Low (≥40 mg/dL to <40 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 121/1,066
Placebo 99/794 12.5
In monotherapy trials in adults, the proportion of patients at 12 weeks and 24 weeks with changes from Normal to High in total cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), fasting triglycerides, and fasting LDL cholesterol were similar between aripiprazole - and placebo-treated patients: at 12 weeks, Total Cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), 1/71 (1.4%) vs. 3/74 (4.1%); Fasting Triglycerides, 8/62 (12.9%) vs. 5/37 (13.5%); Fasting LDL Cholesterol, 0/34 (0%) vs. 1/25 (4.0%), respectively; and at 24 weeks, Total Cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), 1/42 (2.4%) vs. 3/37 (8.1%); Fasting Triglycerides, 5/34 (14.7%) vs. 5/20 (25%); Fasting LDL Cholesterol, 0/22 (0%) vs. 1/18 (5.6%), respectively. Table 7 shows the proportion of patients with changes in total cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), fasting triglycerides, fasting LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol from two placebo-controlled adjunctive trials in adults with major depressive disorder (median exposure 42 days). Table 7: Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters from Placebo-Controlled Adjunctive Trials in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder Treatment Arm n/N % Total Cholesterol Normal to High (<200 mg/dL to ≥240 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 3/139
Placebo 7/135 5.2 Fasting Triglycerides Normal to High (<150 mg/dL to ≥200
mg/dL) Aripiprazole 14/145
Placebo 6/147 4.1 Fasting
LDL Cholesterol Normal to High (<100 mg/dL to ≥160 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 0/54 0 Placebo 0/73 0 HDL Cholesterol Normal to Low (≥40 mg/dL to <40 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 17/318
Placebo 10/286 3.5 Pediatric Patients 10 to 17 Years Table 8 shows
the proportion of pediatric patients (13 to 17 years) with schizophrenia and pediatric patients (10 to 17 years) with another indication with changes in total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (pooled from two placebo-controlled trials; median exposure 42 to 43 days) and fasting triglycerides (pooled from two placebo-controlled trials; median exposure 42 to 44 days). Table 8: Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters from Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trials in Pediatric Patients 10 to 17 Years with Schizophrenia and another Indication Treatment Arm n/N % Total Cholesterol Normal to High (<170 mg/dL to ≥200 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 3/220
Placebo 0/116 0 Fasting Triglycerides Normal to High (<150 mg/dL to ≥200
mg/dL) Aripiprazole 7/187
Placebo 4/85 4.7
HDL Cholesterol Normal to Low (≥40 mg/dL to <40 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 27/236
Placebo 22/109 20.2
In monotherapy trials of pediatric patients with schizophrenia and pediatric patients with another indication, the proportion of patients at 12 weeks and 24 weeks with changes from Normal to High in total cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), fasting triglycerides, and fasting LDL cholesterol were similar between aripiprazole- and placebotreated patients: at 12 weeks, Total Cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), 0/57 (0%) vs. 0/15 (0%); Fasting Triglycerides, 2/72 (2.8%) vs. 1/14 (7.1%), respectively; and at 24 weeks, Total Cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting), 0/36 (0%) vs. 0/12 (0%); Fasting Triglycerides, 1/47 (2.1%) vs. 1/10 (10.0%), respectively. Table 9 shows the proportion of patients with changes in total cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting) and fasting triglycerides (median exposure 56 days) and HDL cholesterol (median exposure 55 to 56 days) from two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) with irritability associated with autistic disorder. Table 9: Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters from Placebo-Controlled Trials in Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years with Autistic Disorder Treatment Arm n/N % Total Cholesterol Normal to High (<170 mg/dL to ≥200 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 1/95
Placebo 0/34 0 Fasting Triglycerides Normal to High (<150 mg/dL to ≥200
mg/dL) Aripiprazole 0/75 0 Placebo 0/30 0 HDL Cholesterol Normal to Low (≥40 mg/dL to <40 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 9/107
Placebo 5/49 10.2 Table 10 shows the proportion of patients with changes
in total cholesterol (fasting/nonfasting) and fasting triglycerides (median exposure 57 days) and HDL cholesterol (median exposure 57 days) from two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) with Tourette's disorder. Table 10: Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters from Placebo-Controlled Trials in Pediatric Patients 6 to 18 Years with Tourette's Disorder Treatment Arm n/N % Total Cholesterol Normal to High (<170 mg/dL to ⩾200 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 1/85
Placebo 0/46 0 Fasting Triglycerides Normal to High (<150 mg/dL to ⩾200
mg/dL) Aripiprazole 5/94
Placebo 2/55 3.6
HDL Cholesterol Normal to Low (⩾40 mg/dL to <40 mg/dL) Aripiprazole 4/108
Placebo 2/67 3.0 Weight Gain Weight gain has been observed with atypical
antipsychotic use. Clinical monitoring of weight is recommended. Adults In an analysis of 13 placebo-controlled monotherapy trials, primarily from pooled schizophrenia and another indication, with a median exposure of 21 to 25 days, the mean change in body weight in aripiprazole-treated patients was +0.3 kg (N=1673) compared to -0.1 kg (N=1100) in placebo-controlled patients.
At 24 weeks, the mean change from baseline in body weight in aripiprazole-treated patients was -1.5 kg (n=73) compared to -0.2 kg (n=46) in patients treated with placebo patients. In the trials adding aripiprazole to antidepressants, patients first received 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment followed by 6 weeks of adjunctive aripiprazole or placebo in addition to their ongoing antidepressant treatment. The mean change in body weight in patients receiving adjunctive aripiprazole was +1.7 kg (N=347) compared to +0.4 kg (N=330) in patients receiving adjunctive placebo.
Table 11 shows the percentage of adult patients with weight gain ≥7% of body weight by indication. Table 11: Percentage of Patients from Placebo-Controlled Trials in Adults with Weight Gain ≥7% of Body Weight Indication Treatment Arm N Patients n (%) Weight gain ≥7% of body weight Schizophrenia 4 to 6 weeks duration; Aripiprazole 852 69 Placebo 379 12 Another indication 3 weeks duration; Aripiprazole 719 16 Placebo 598 16 Major Depressive Disorder (Adjunctive Therapy) 6 weeks duration. Aripiprazole 347 18 Placebo 330 2 Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years In an analysis of two placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia and pediatric patients 10 to 17 years with another indication with median exposure of 42 to 43 days, the mean change in body weight in aripiprazole-treated patients was +1.6 kg (N=381) compared to +0.3 kg (N=187) in placebo-treated patients.
At 24 weeks, the mean change from baseline in body weight in aripiprazole-treated patients was +5.8 kg (n=62) compared to +1.4 kg (n=13) in patients treated with placebo. In two short-term, placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) with irritability associated with autistic disorder with median exposure of 56 days, the mean change in body weight in aripiprazole-treated patients was +1.6 kg (n=209) compared to +0.4 kg (n=98) in pediatric patients treated with placebo. In two short-term, placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients 6 to 18 years with Tourette's disorder with median exposure of 57 days, the mean change in body weight in aripiprazole-treated patients was +1.5 kg (n=105) compared to +0.4 kg (n=66) in patients treated with placebo.
Table 12 shows the percentage of pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) with weight gain ≥7% of body weight by indication. Table 12: Percentage of Patients from Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trials in Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years with Weight Gain ≥7% of Body Weight Indication Treatment Arm N Patients n (%) Weight gain ≥7% of body weight Pooled Schizophrenia and another indication 4 to 6 weeks duration; Aripiprazole 381 20 Placebo 187 3 Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder 8 weeks duration; Aripiprazole 209 55 Placebo 98 7 Tourette's Disorder 8 to 10 weeks duration. Aripiprazole 105 21 Placebo 66 5 In an open-label trial that enrolled patients from the two placebo-controlled trials of pediatric patients 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia and pediatric patients 10 to 17 years with another indication, 73.2% of patients (238/325) completed 26 weeks of therapy with aripiprazole.
After 26 weeks, 32.8% of patients gained ≥7% of their body weight, not adjusted for normal growth. To adjust for normal growth, z-scores were derived (measured in standard deviations ), which normalize for the natural growth of pediatric patients and adolescents by comparisons to age- and gender-matched population standards. A z-score change <
SD is considered not clinically significant. After 26 weeks, the mean change
in z-score was 0.09 SD. In an open-label trial that enrolled patients from two short-term, placebo-controlled trials, pediatric patients 6 to 17 years with irritability associated with autistic disorder, as well as de novo patients, 60.3% (199/330) completed one year of therapy with aripiprazole. The mean change in weight z-score was 0.26 SDs for patients receiving >9 months of treatment. When treating pediatric patients for any indication, weight gain should be monitored and assessed against that expected for normal growth.
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
OPIPZA may cause orthostatic hypotension, perhaps due to its α 1 -adrenergic receptor antagonism. The incidence of orthostatic hypotension-associated events from short-term, placebo-controlled trials of adult patients treated with another oral aripiprazole product (n=2,467) included (aripiprazole incidence, placebo incidence) orthostatic hypotension (1%, 0.3%), postural dizziness (0.5%, 0.3%), and syncope (0.5%, 0.4%); of pediatric patients 6 to 18 years of age (n=732) on another oral aripiprazole product included orthostatic hypotension (0.5%, 0%), postural dizziness (0.4%, 0%), and syncope (0.2%, 0%) . The incidence of 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) for another oral aripiprazole product was not meaningfully different from placebo (aripiprazole incidence, placebo incidence): in adults treated with another oral aripiprazole product (4%, 2%), in pediatric patients treated with another oral aripiprazole-product aged 6 to 18 years (0.4%, 1%). Use OPIPZA with caution in patients with known cardiovascular disease (history of myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease, heart failure or conduction abnormalities), cerebrovascular disease, or conditions which would predispose patients to hypotension (dehydration, hypovolemia, and treatment with antihypertensive medications) . Monitoring of orthostatic vital signs should be considered in patients who are vulnerable to hypotension.
Falls Antipsychotics, including
OPIPZA, 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. 5.10 Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis In clinical trials and/or postmarketing experience, events of leukopenia and neutropenia have been reported temporally related to antipsychotic agents, including aripiprazole. 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 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 OPIPZA 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 OPIPZA in patients with severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1,000/mm 3 ) and follow their WBC counts until recovery. 5.11 Seizures In short-term, placebo-controlled trials, patients with a history of seizures excluded seizures/convulsions occurred in 0.1% (3/2,467) of undiagnosed adult patients and in 0.1% (1/732) of pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) treated with another oral aripiprazole product. As with other antipsychotic drugs, use OPIPZA 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. 5.12 Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment OPIPZA, like other antipsychotics, may have the potential to impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. For example, in short-term, placebo-controlled trials of another oral aripiprazole product, somnolence (including sedation) was reported as follows (aripiprazole incidence, placebo incidence): in adult patients (n=2,467) treated with oral aripiprazole (11%, 6%), in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years (n=611) (24%, 6%). Somnolence (including sedation) led to discontinuation in 0.3% (8/2,467) of adult patients and 3% (20/732) of pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) on oral aripiprazole in short-term, placebo-controlled trials. Patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery or operating a motor vehicle, until they are reasonably certain that therapy with OPIPZA does not affect them adversely. 5.13 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 OPIPZA 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) . 5.14 Dysphagia Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotic drug use, including aripiprazole. OPIPZA and other antipsychotic drugs should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia.
Drug Interactions with Opipza
Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with
OPIPZA Table 18 includes clinically important drug interactions with OPIPZA. Table 18: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with OPIPZA Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors AND/OR Strong CYP2D6 Inhibitors Clinical Rationale Concomitant use of aripiprazole with strong CYP3A4 and/or CYP2D6 inhibitors increased the exposure of aripiprazole. Clinical Recommendation Reduce the dosage of OPIPZA when administered concomitantly with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and/or strong CYP2D6 inhibitor . Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Rationale Concomitant use of aripiprazole and carbamazepine decreased the exposure of aripiprazole . Clinical Recommendation Consider increasing the dosage of OPIPZA when administered concomitantly with a strong CYP3A4 inducer . Antihypertensive Drugs Clinical Rationale Due to its alpha-adrenergic antagonism, aripiprazole has the potential to enhance the effect of certain antihypertensive agents. Clinical Recommendation Monitor blood pressure and adjust dose accordingly . Benzodiazepines Clinical Rationale 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. Clinical Recommendation Monitor sedation and blood pressure. Adjust dose accordingly.
Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with
OPIPZA Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment of aripiprazole is required when administered concomitantly with famotidine, valproate, lithium, lorazepam. In addition, no dosage adjustment is necessary for substrates of CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP3A4 when coadministered with OPIPZA. Additionally, no dosage adjustment is necessary for valproate, lithium, lamotrigine, lorazepam, or sertraline when co-administered with OPIPZA .
Pregnancy Safety for Opipza
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to atypical antipsychotics, including aripiprazole, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to advise patients to register by contacting the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting online at http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/. Risk Summary Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs, including OPIPZA, 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 or fetal outcomes (see Data ). There are risks to the mother associated with untreated schizophrenia, or major depressive disorder, and with exposure to antipsychotics, including OPIPZA during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ). In animal reproduction studies, oral and intravenous aripiprazole administration during organogenesis in rats and/or rabbits at doses 10 and 19 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 30 mg/day based on mg/m 2 body surface area, 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 based on mg/m 2 body surface area, 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 is 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, including increased risk of relapse, hospitalization, and suicide.
Schizophrenia is 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. A prospective, longitudinal study followed 201 pregnant women with a history of major depressive disorder who were euthymic and taking antidepressants at the beginning of pregnancy.
The women who discontinued antidepressants during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressants. Consider the risk of untreated depression when discontinuing or changing treatment with antidepressant medication during pregnancy and postpartum. 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 aripiprazole) during the third trimester of pregnancy.
These symptoms have varied in severity. Monitor neonates for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms and manage symptoms appropriately. Some neonates recovered within hours or days without specific treatment; others required prolonged hospitalization.
Data Human Data Published data from observational studies, birth registries, and case reports on the use of atypical antipsychotics during pregnancy do not report a clear association with antipsychotics and major birth defects. A retrospective study from a Medicaid database of 9,258 women exposed to antipsychotics during pregnancy did not indicate an overall increased risk for major birth defects. Animal Data In animal studies, aripiprazole demonstrated developmental toxicity, including possible teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits.
In pregnant rats treated orally with aripiprazole during organogenesis at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 1, 3 and 10 times the MRHD of 30 mg/day based on mg/m 2 body surface area, a slight prolongation of gestation and delay in fetal development, as evidenced by decreased fetal weight and undescended testes, were observed at 10 times the MRHD. Delayed skeletal ossification was observed at 3 and 10 times the MRHD. Delivered offspring had increased incidences of hepatodiaphragmatic nodules and diaphragmatic hernia were observed at 10 times the MRHD (the other dose groups were not examined for these findings). Postnatally, delayed vaginal opening was seen at 3 and 10 times the MRHD. Impaired reproductive performance (decreased fertility rate, corpora lutea, implants, live fetuses, and increased post-implantation loss, likely mediated through effects on female offspring) were observed at 10 times the MRHD; however, there was no evidence to suggest that these developmental effects were secondary to maternal toxicity. In pregnant rabbits treated orally with aripiprazole during organogenesis at doses of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg/day which are 6, 19, and 65 times the MRHD of 30 mg/day based on mg/m 2 body surface area, decreased maternal food consumption, and increased abortions as well as increased fetal mortality were observed at 65 times the MRHD. Decreased fetal weight and increased incidence of fused sternebrae were observed at 19 and 65 times the MRHD. In rats treated orally with aripiprazole peri- and postnatally from gestation Day 17 through postpartum Day 21 at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day which are 1, 3, and 10 times the MRHD of 30 mg/day based on mg/m 2 body surface area slight maternal toxicity and slightly prolonged gestation were observed at 10 times the MRHD. An increase in stillbirths and, decreases in pup weight (persisting into adulthood) and survival were also seen at this dose.
Pediatric Use of Opipza
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of OPIPZA in pediatric patients with major depressive disorder have not been established. The pharmacokinetics of aripiprazole and dehydro-aripiprazole in pediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age were similar to those in adults after correcting for the differences in body weight . Schizophrenia Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients with schizophrenia were established in a 6-week, placebo-controlled clinical trial of another oral aripiprazole product in 202 pediatric patients aged 13 to 17 years . Although maintenance efficacy in pediatric patients has not been systematically evaluated, maintenance efficacy can be extrapolated from adult data along with comparisons of aripiprazole pharmacokinetic parameters in adult and pediatric patients. Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients demonstrating irritability associated with autistic disorder were established in two 8 week, placebo-controlled clinical trials of another oral aripiprazole product in 212 pediatric patients aged 6 to 17 years . A maintenance trial was conducted in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years of age) with irritability associated with autistic disorder.
The first phase of this trial was an open-label, flexibly dosed (aripiprazole 2 to 15 mg/day) phase in which patients were stabilized (defined as > 25% improvement on the ABC-I subscale, and a CGI-I rating of "much improved" or "very much improved") on aripiprazole for 12 consecutive weeks. Overall, 85 patients were stabilized and entered the second, 16 week, double-blind phase where they were randomized to either continue aripiprazole treatment or switch to placebo. In this trial, the efficacy of aripiprazole for the maintenance treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder was not established.
Tourette's Disorder Safety and effectiveness of aripiprazole in pediatric patients with Tourette's Disorder were established in one 8 week (aged 7 to 17 years) and one 10-week trial (aged 6 to 18 years) of another oral aripiprazole product in 194 pediatric patients . Maintenance efficacy in pediatric patients has not been systematically evaluated. 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 Opipza
is contraindicated in patients with a history of a 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 Opipza
Human Experience In clinical trials and in postmarketing experience, adverse reactions of deliberate or accidental overdosage with oral aripiprazole have been reported worldwide. These include overdoses with oral aripiprazole alone and in combination with other substances. No fatality was reported with aripiprazole alone.
The largest known dose with a known outcome involved acute ingestion of 1,260 mg of oral aripiprazole (42 times the maximum recommended daily dose) by a patient who fully recovered. Deliberate or accidental overdosage was also reported in patients age 12 years and younger involving oral aripiprazole ingestions up to 195 mg (6.5 times the maximum recommended daily dose) with no fatalities. 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 Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations. No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with OPIPZA. An electrocardiogram should be obtained in case of overdosage and if QT interval prolongation is present, cardiac monitoring should be instituted.
Otherwise, management of overdose should concentrate on supportive therapy, maintaining an adequate airway, oxygenation and ventilation, and management of symptoms. Close medical supervision and monitoring should continue until the patient recovers. Charcoal: In the event of an overdose of OPIPZA, an early charcoal administration may be useful in partially preventing the absorption of aripiprazole.
Administration of 50 g of activated charcoal, one hour after a single 15 mg oral dose of aripiprazole, decreased the mean AUC and C max of aripiprazole by 50%. Hemodialysis: Although there is no information on the effect of hemodialysis in treating an overdose with OPIPZA, hemodialysis is unlikely to be useful in overdose management since aripiprazole is highly bound to plasma proteins.
Clinical Studies of Opipza
Overview of the Clinical Studies
The efficacy of OPIPZA for the treatment of schizophrenia in patients ages 13 to 17 years, adjunctive treatment of adults with MDD, treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older, and treatment of Tourette's disorder in pediatric patients 6 years and older is based on the following adequate and well-controlled studies of another oral aripiprazole product (referred to as "aripiprazole" in this section): Four short-term trials and one maintenance trial in adult patients and one short-term trial in pediatric patients ages 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia Two short-term trials in adult patients with MDD who had an inadequate response to antidepressant therapy during the current episode Two short-term trials in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder Two short-term trials in pediatric patients ages 6 to 18 years with Tourette's disorder
Schizophrenia Adults
The efficacy of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia was evaluated in five short-term (4 week and 6 week), placebo-controlled trials of acutely relapsed inpatients who predominantly met DSM-III/IV criteria for schizophrenia. Four of the five trials were able to distinguish aripiprazole from placebo, but one study, the smallest, did not. Three of these studies also included an active control group consisting of either risperidone (one trial) or haloperidol (two trials), but they were not designed to allow for a comparison of aripiprazole and the active comparators.
In the four positive trials for aripiprazole, four primary measures were used for assessing psychiatric signs and symptoms. Efficacy was evaluated using the total score on 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 Clinical Global Impression (CGI) assessment reflects the impression of a skilled observer, fully familiar with the manifestations of schizophrenia, about the overall clinical state of the patient. In a 4 week trial (n=414) comparing two fixed doses of aripiprazole (15 or 30 mg/day) to placebo, both doses of aripiprazole were superior to placebo in the PANSS total score (Study 1 in Table 26), PANSS positive subscale, and CGI-severity score.
In addition, the 15 mg dose was superior to placebo in the PANSS negative subscale. In a 4 week trial (n=404) comparing two fixed doses of aripiprazole (20 or 30 mg/day) to placebo, both doses of aripiprazole were superior to placebo in the PANSS total score (Study 2 in Table 26), PANSS positive subscale, PANSS negative subscale, and CGI- severity score. In a 6 week trial (n=420) comparing three fixed doses of aripiprazole (10, 15, or 20 mg/day) to placebo, all three doses of aripiprazole were superior to placebo in the PANSS total score (Study 3 in Table 26), PANSS positive subscale, and the PANSS negative subscale.
In a 6 week trial (n=367) comparing three fixed doses of aripiprazole (2, 5, or 10 mg/day) to placebo, the 10 mg dose of aripiprazole was superior to placebo in the PANSS total score (Study 4 in Table 26), the primary outcome measure of the study. The 2 and 5 mg doses did not demonstrate superiority to placebo on the primary outcome measure. Thus, the efficacy of 10, 15, 20, and 30 mg daily doses was established in two studies for each dose.
Among these doses, there was no evidence that the higher dose groups offered any advantage over the lowest dose group of these studies. An examination of population subgroups did not reveal any clear evidence of differential responsiveness on the basis of age, gender, or race. A longer-term trial enrolled 310 inpatients or outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia who were, by history, symptomatically stable on other antipsychotic medications for periods of 3 months or longer.
These patients were discontinued from their antipsychotic medications and randomized to aripiprazole 15 mg/day or placebo for up to 26 weeks of observation for relapse. Relapse during the double-blind phase was defined as CGI-Improvement score of ≥5 (minimally worse), scores ≥5 (moderately severe) on the hostility or uncooperativeness items of the PANSS, or ≥20% increase in the PANSS total score. Patients receiving aripiprazole 15 mg/day experienced a significantly longer time to relapse over the subsequent 26 weeks compared to those receiving placebo (Study 5 in Figure 6). Pediatric Patients (13 to 17 years) The efficacy of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia in pediatric patients (13 to 17 years of age) was evaluated in one 6-week, placebo-controlled trial of outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and had a PANSS score ≥70 at baseline.
In this trial (n=302) comparing two fixed doses of aripiprazole (10 or 30 mg/day) to placebo, aripiprazole was titrated starting from 2 mg/day to the target dose in 5 days in the 10 mg/day treatment arm and in 11 days in the 30 mg/day treatment arm. Both doses of aripiprazole were superior to placebo in the PANSS total score (Study 6 in Table 19), the primary outcome measure of the study. The 30 mg/day dosage was not shown to be more efficacious than the 10 mg/day dose.
Although maintenance efficacy in pediatric patients has not been systematically evaluated, maintenance efficacy can be extrapolated from adult data along with comparisons of aripiprazole pharmacokinetic parameters in adult and pediatric patients. Table 19: Schizophrenia Studies (Adults and Pediatric Patients 13 to 17 years) Primary Efficacy Measure: PANSS Study Number Treatment Group 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 Aripiprazole (15 mg/day) Doses statistically significantly superior to placebo. 98.5 -15.5 -12.6 (-18.9, -6.2) Aripiprazole (30 mg/day) 99.0 -11.4 -8.5 (-14.8, -2.1) Placebo 100.2 -2.9 -- Study 2 Aripiprazole (20 mg/day) 92.6 -14.5 -9.6 (-15.4, -3.8) Aripiprazole (30 mg/day) 94.2 -13.9 -9.0 (-14.8, -3.1) Placebo 94.3 -5.0 -- Study 3 Aripiprazole (10 mg/day) 92.7 -15.0 -12.7 (-19.00, -6.41) Aripiprazole (15 mg/day) 93.2 -11.7 -9.4 (-15.71, -3.08) Aripiprazole (20 mg/day) 92.5 -14.4 -12.1 (-18.53, -5.68) Placebo 92.3 -2.3 -- Study 4 Aripiprazole (2 mg/day) 90.7 -8.2 -2.9 (-8.29, 2.47) Aripiprazole (5 mg/day) 92.0 -10.6 -5.2 (-10.7, 0.19) Aripiprazole (10 mg/day) 90.0 -11.3 -5.9 (-11.3, -0.58) Placebo 90.8 -5.3 -- Study 6 Pediatric patients (13 to 17 years) Aripiprazole (10 mg/day) 93.6 -26.7 -5.5 (-10.7, -0.21) Aripiprazole (30 mg/day) 94.0 -28.6 -7.4 (-12.7, -2.13) Placebo 94.6 -21.2 -- Figure 6: Kaplan-Meier Estimation of Cumulative Proportion of Adults with Relapse (Schizophrenia Study 5) Figure 6
Adjunctive Treatment of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder
The efficacy of aripiprazole in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) was demonstrated in two short-term (6-week), placebo-controlled trials of adult patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD who had had an inadequate response to prior antidepressant therapy (1 to 3 courses) in the current episode and who had also demonstrated an inadequate response to 8 weeks of prospective antidepressant therapy (paroxetine controlled-release, venlafaxine extended-release, fluoxetine, escitalopram, or sertraline). Inadequate response for prospective treatment was defined as less than 50% improvement on the 17 item version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17), minimal HAMD17 score of 14, and a Clinical Global Impressions Improvement rating of no better than minimal improvement. Inadequate response to prior treatment was defined as less than 50% improvement as perceived by the patient after a minimum of 6 weeks of antidepressant therapy at or above the minimal effective dose. The primary instrument used for assessing depressive symptoms was the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), a 10 item clinician-rated scale used to assess the degree of depressive symptomatology.
The key secondary instrument was the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), a 3 item self-rated instrument used to assess the impact of depression on three domains of functioning with each item scored from 0 (not at all) to 10 (extreme). In the two trials (n=381, n=362), aripiprazole was superior to placebo in reducing mean MADRS total scores (Studies 1, 2 in Table 28). In one study, aripiprazole was also superior to placebo in reducing the mean SDS score. In both trials, patients received aripiprazole adjunctive to antidepressants at a dose of 5 mg/day. Based on tolerability and efficacy, doses could be adjusted by 5 mg increments, one week apart.
Allowable doses were: 2, 5, 10, 15 mg/day, and for patients who were not on potent CYP2D6 inhibitors fluoxetine and paroxetine, 20 mg/day. The mean final dose at the end point for the two trials was 10.7 and 11.4 mg/day. An examination of population subgroups did not reveal evidence of differential response based on age, choice of prospective antidepressant, or race.
With regard to gender, a smaller mean reduction on the MADRS total score was seen in males than in females. Table 20: Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Studies (Adults) Primary Efficacy Measure: MADRS Study Number Treatment Group 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 Aripiprazole (5 to 20 mg/day) Doses statistically significantly superior to placebo. + Antidepressant 25.2 -8.49 -2.84 (-4.53, -1.15) ------------------------------- Placebo + Antidepressant 27.0 -5.65 -- Study 2 Aripiprazole (5 to 20 mg/day) + Antidepressant 26.0 -8.78 -3.01 (-4.66, -1.37) ------------------------------- Placebo + Antidepressant 26.0 -5.77 --
Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Pediatric Patients (6 to 17 years)
The efficacy of aripiprazole in the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder was established in two 8 week, placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 17 years) who met the DSM-IV criteria for autistic disorder and demonstrated behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, self-injurious behavior, or a combination of these problems. Over 75% of these patients were under 13 years of age. Efficacy was evaluated using two assessment scales: The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale.
The primary outcome measure in both trials was the change from baseline to endpoint in the Irritability subscale of the ABC (ABC-I). The ABC-I subscale measured symptoms of irritability in autistic disorder. The results of these trials are as follows: In one of the 8 week, placebo-controlled trials, pediatric patients 6 to 17 years with autistic disorder (n=98), received daily doses of placebo or aripiprazole 2 to 15 mg/day. Aripiprazole, starting at 2 mg/day with increases allowed up to 15 mg/day based on clinical response, significantly improved scores on the ABC-I subscale and on the CGI-I scale compared with placebo.
The mean daily dose of aripiprazole at the end of 8 week treatment was 8.6 mg/day (Study 1 in Table 29). In the other 8 week, placebo-controlled trial in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years with autistic disorder (n=218), three fixed doses of aripiprazole (5 mg/day, 10 mg/day, or 15 mg/day) were compared to placebo. aripiprazole dosing started at 2 mg/day and was increased to 5 mg/day after one week. After a second week, it was increased to 10 mg/day for patients in the 10 and 15 mg dose arms, and after a third week, it was increased to 15 mg/day in the 15 mg/day treatment arm (Study 2 in Table 21). All three doses of aripiprazole significantly improved scores on the ABC-I subscale compared with placebo. Table 21: Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Studies (Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 years) Primary Efficacy Measure: ABC-I Study Number Treatment Group 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 Aripiprazole (2 to 15 mg/day) Doses statistically significantly superior to placebo. 29.6 -12.9 -7.9 (-11.7, -4.1) Placebo 30.2 -5.0 -- Study 2 Aripiprazole (5 mg/day) 28.6 -12.4 -4.0 (-7.7, -0.4) Aripiprazole (10 mg/day) 28.2 -13.2 -4.8 (-8.4, -1.3) Aripiprazole (15 mg/day) 28.9 -14.4 -6.0 (-9.6, -2.3) Placebo 28.0 -8.4 --
Tourette's Disorder Pediatric Patients (6 to 18 years)
The efficacy of aripiprazole in the treatment of Tourette's disorder was established in one 8 week (7 to 17 years of age) and one 10 week (6 to 18 years of age), placebo-controlled trials in pediatric patients (6 to 18 years of age) who met the DSM-IV criteria for Tourette's disorder and had a Total Tic score (TTS) ≥ 20 to 22 on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). The YGTSS is a fully validated scale designed to measure current tic severity. Efficacy was evaluated using two assessment scales: 1) the Total Tic score (TTS) of the YGTSS and 2) the Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Tourette's Syndrome (CGI-TS), a clinician-determined summary measure that takes into account all available patient information. Over 65% of these patients were under 13 years of age.
The primary outcome measure in both trials was the change from baseline to endpoint in the TTS of the YGTSS. Ratings for the TTS are made along 5 different dimensions on a scale of 0 to 5 for motor and vocal tics each. Summation of these 10 scores provides a TTS (i.e., 0 to 50). The results of these trials are as follows: In the 8 week, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose trial, pediatric patients 7 to 17 years with Tourette's disorder (n=133), were randomized 1:1:1 to low dose aripiprazole, high dose aripiprazole, or placebo. The target doses for the low and high dose aripiprazole groups were based on weight.
Patients < 50 kg in the low dose aripiprazole group started at 2 mg per day with a target dose of 5 mg per day after 2 days. Patients ≥ 50 kg in the low dose aripiprazole group, started at 2 mg per day increased to 5 mg per day after 2 days, with a subsequent increase to a target dose of 10 mg per day at Day 7. Patients <50 kg in the high dose aripiprazole group started at 2 mg per day increased to 5 mg per day after 2 days, with a subsequent increase to a target dose of 10 mg per day at Day 7. Patients ≥ 50 kg in the high dose aripiprazole group, started at 2 mg per day increased to 5 mg per day after 2 days, with a subsequent increase to a dose of 10 mg per day at Day 7 and were allowed weekly increases of 5 mg per day up to a target dose 20 mg per day at Day 21. Aripiprazole (both high and low dose groups) demonstrated statistically significantly improved scores on the YGTSS TTS (Study 1 in Table 22) and on the CGI-TS scale compared with placebo. The estimated improvements on the YGTSS TTS over the course of the study are displayed in Figure 7. Figure 7: Least Square Means of Change from Baseline in YGTSS TTS by Week in Pediatric Patients 7 to 17 years (Tourette's Disorder Study 1) In the 10 week, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose trial in pediatric patients 6 to 18 years with Tourette's disorder (n=61), patients received daily doses of placebo or aripiprazole, starting at 2 mg/day with increases allowed up to 20 mg/day based on clinical response.
Aripiprazole demonstrated statistically significantly improved scores on the YGTSS TTS scale compared with placebo (Study 2 in Table 22). The mean daily dose of aripiprazole at the end of 10-week treatment was 6.54 mg/day. Table 22: Tourette's Disorder Studies (Pediatric Patients) Primary Efficacy Measure: YGTSS TTS Study Number Population (Age Range) Treatment Group 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 Pediatric patients (7 to 17 years) Aripiprazole (low dose) Doses statistically significantly superior to placebo. 29.2 -13.4 -6.3 (-10.2, -2.3) Aripiprazole (high dose) 31.2 -16.9 -9.9 (-13.8, -5.9) Placebo 30.7 -7.1 -- Study 2 Pediatric patients (6 to 18 years) Aripiprazole (2 to 20 mg/day) 28.3 -15.0 -5.3 (-9.8, -0.9) Placebo 29.5 -9.6 -- Figure 7
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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