Aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment for patients with schizophrenia and alcohol/substance use disorder: an observational, real-world study
ISSN: 1757-0972
Article publication date: 9 June 2023
Issue publication date: 1 September 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the role of aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment in a sample of patients with schizophrenia comorbid with alcohol and substance use disorder (AUD/SUD).
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 24 Italian adult patients has been recruited and treated with aripiprazole once monthly after clinical stabilization with oral aripiprazole during May 2021 and June 2022. Clinical evaluations have been performed at the baseline (T0) and after 12 (T1) and 24 (T2) weeks.
Findings
During the study period, an improvement of both the clinical condition and general health from baseline was observed, as well as a reduction of craving for alcohol/substances. However, from T0, the number of patients who continued with this study decreased at T1 (n = 8) and then at T2 (n = 4). No serious adverse events were reported, including changes in weight, lipid/glucose metabolism, electrocardiogram and extra-pyramidal side effects.
Originality/value
Although limited by the high number of drop outs, this observational real-world study provided insights into the use of aripiprazole once monthly among a sample of patients with schizophrenia and comorbid SUD/AUD. Further studies of longer duration and on a larger sample are needed.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Author contributions: Conceptualization: S.C., G.M. and M.P.; writing – original draft preparation: A.M., A.Mi. and S.C.; collection and analysis of data: F.D.C., G.D.A., A.N., M.S., C.E., A.R. and E.H.; and writing – review and editing: S.C., G.M., M.P. and M.D.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: EU study number: OPEL/2020/007, study protocol version 5.0 (4 February 2021).
Conflicts of interest: G.M. has been a Consultant and/or a Speaker and/or has received research grants from Angelini, Doc Generici, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer, Servier and Recordati. S.C., M.P., A.M., A. Mi., F.D.C., G.D.A., A.N., M.S., C.E., A.R. and E.H. have nothing to declare. M.D.G. has been a Consultant and/or a Speaker and/or has received research grants from Angelini, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer, Servier and Recordati.
Citation
Chiappini, S., Mosca, A., Miuli, A., Di Carlo, F., d'Andrea, G., Napolitano, A., Santangelo, M., Esposito, C., Rosazza, A., Haefele, E., Di Petta, G., Pettorruso, M., Sensi, S.L. and Martinotti, G. (2023), "Aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment for patients with schizophrenia and alcohol/substance use disorder: an observational, real-world study", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 185-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-12-2022-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited