A new treatment for schizophrenia has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Aristada Initio (aripiprazole lauroxil) for the initiation of Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is now expected to become available in the US around mid-July. The full article can be read here, on the website for Alkermes Plc.
About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that is estimated to affect about 1% of the world population, with males being more frequently diagnosed than females. Research suggests that it is caused by a combination of genetic factors and environmental ‘triggers’ that cause the condition to develop in people who have a genetic predisposition.
Although different people will show different symptoms, some common behaviours associated with schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions (unusual beliefs not based on reality), behaviour changes, depression, social withdrawal, and confused thoughts. Often, people believe that schizophrenia causes violent behaviour. However, health organisations such as the NHS have said that this isn’t the case.
About Aristada and Aristada Initio
Aristada is an atypical antipsychotic (a group of drugs used to treat some psychiatric conditions) that can be injected for a long-acting treatment. It is currently approved as a treatment for schizophrenia in four doses and three dosing durations. Inside the body, Aristada is converted into aripiprazole.
Aristada Initio can be combined with one 30mg dose of oral aripiprazole to initiate onto Aristada at any dosage. If Aristada Initio is used, the Aristada can be given on the same day or up to ten days afterwards.
Although both Aristada and Aristada Initio contain aripiprazole lauroxil, the two medicines are different. Aristada Initio uses the Alkermes’s NanoCrystal technology to create smaller particles of aripiprazole lauroxil than in Aristada, which are designed for faster dissolution so that relevant levels of aripiprazole can be reached more quickly.
The Benefits of This New Treatment Option
Previously, it was common practice for doctors to begin treating patients with Aristada by starting with the first dose and then giving patients oral aripiprazole for a twenty-one day period. In comparison, the new treatment option only takes four days to release relevant levels of aripiprazole, which makes dosing options more flexible for patients and doctors.
In a statement released by Alkermes, Dr Walling, CEO of the Collaborative Neuroscience Network, said, “The approval of ARISTADA INITIO makes ARISTADA the first and only long-acting atypical antipsychotic that can be initiated on day one.”
