Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of aripiprazole in clinical practice.
METHOD: Prospective follow-up of patients consecutively prescribed aripiprazole in an acute mental health unit. Retrospective analysis of outcome from casenotes.
RESULTS: Data were available on 228 patients. Fifty-one per cent discontinued aripiprazole over 6-month follow-up. Continuation with treatment was more likely in out-patients [relative risk (RR) 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13-2.00], those never before considered for clozapine treatment (RR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06-2.44) and older patients [RR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09 (per 5-year increase)]. The main reason for early discontinuation was the occurrence of minor adverse effects.
CONCLUSION: Aripiprazole is effective in practice. Outcome is likely to be improved by careful patient selection and by attending to adverse effects experienced early in treatment.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 461-466 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica |
Volume | 116 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 28 Oct 2007 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2007 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use
- Aripiprazole
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Piperazines/therapeutic use
- Prospective Studies
- Quinolones/therapeutic use
- Retrospective Studies
- Schizophrenia/diagnosis
- Time Factors