Switching to Aristada improves schizophrenia symptoms

Steven G. Potkin

NEW ORLEANS — Switching from monthly Invega Sustenna to Aristada reduced schizophrenia symptoms among individuals with inadequate response or intolerance to Invega Sustenna, according to data presented at Psych Congress.

“The 6-month study was an open-label, prospective design for patients who experienced an inadequate response or intolerance to [Invega Sustenna (paliperidone palmitate, Janssen Pharmaceuticals)], a widely used antipsychotic medication, and were then switched to Aristada [aripiprazole lauroxil, Alkermes],” study researcher Steven G. Potkin, MD, of the University of California, Irvine, told Healio.com/Psychiatry. “Patients who switched to Aristada, an antipsychotic medication with different pharmacology than Sustenna, experienced clinically meaningful and significant benefits on the clinical Global Severity scale.”

To determine efficacy, safety and dosing strategies for switching from monthly paliperidone palmitate to aripiprazole lauroxil, researchers conducted a prospective, open-label study among 51 individuals with schizophrenia stabilized on paliperidone palmitate who continued to experience symptoms or treatment intolerance. Study participants received a flexible-dose of aripiprazole lauroxil of 441 mg, 662 mg or 882 mg every 4 weeks or 882 mg every 6 weeks for 6 months.

The primary reason for switching to aripiprazole lauroxil was insufficient control of positive symptoms, which 67% of the cohort reported.

From baseline to 6 months, mean Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score decreased from 37.6 to 32.7 (P = .002) and mean Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score decreased from 3.9 to 3.4 (P < .001).

Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred among 41% of participants. The most common adverse event was psychotic disorders (8%).

“The switch to different doses of Aristada was accomplished safely and offers a clear option for clinicians treating patients with schizophrenia,” Potkin said. – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Potkin SG, et al. Switching patients with schizophrenia from paliperidone palmitate to aripiprazole lauroxil: A 6-month, prospective open-label study. Presented at: U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress; Sept. 16-19, 2017; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Healio.com/Psychiatry was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.