Abilify Case Study
Running head: EFFICACY DATA ON ABILIFY
Safety and Efficacy Data on Abilify Ursula Lorenz National University
Treatment and dosage Abilify, generic aripiprazole (2003), is used in acute episodes of schizophrenia. It is also used to treat Bipolar I Disorder. It is an atypical medication and shows effectiveness in treating people with concurrent manic episodes. The effective dose range is usually 10-30 mg for schizophrenia patients and 15–30 mg for Bipolar I Disorder. It is available in 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30mg tablets as well as a liquid non-refrigerated, 1mg/mL solution. It is taken once daily with or without food.
Effectiveness Abilify works by modifying sensitivity to serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. It is
used …show more content…
to treat schizophrenia, a disease where the dopamine level at the synapses is too high. It is manifested through positive symptoms such as loosing touch with reality, hallucinations, and delusions. It is also affective in treating Bipolar I Disease. Abilify is not approved for administration to patients with dementia-related psychosis.
It acts as an agonist at the presynaptic autoreceptor in order to lower dopamine synthesis and release. This decrease in presynaptic dopamine release changes the antagonist release of Abilify at postsynaptic D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, which seems to cause psychotic symptoms as a result of excess dopamine in that area. The exact process is not fully understood yet.
Side Effects Abilify does not have a significant weight gain side effect, however, common side effects include anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, cough, headache, insomnia, light-headedness, nausea, rash, restlessness, runny nose, sleepiness, tremors, vomiting, and weakness. More severe side effects could include tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary movements in the face and body, including chewing movements, puffing the cheeks, puckering, and sticking out the tongue. This condition appears to be most common among older adults, especially women, and may be permanent. Abilify is not recommended to patients with the risk of diabetes as this medication could increase the blood sugar level.
Safety and effects In a case study done by Seifert, Schwartz, and Thomas, it was reported of a two and a half-year-old child accidentally ingesting 13-15mg (17.1 mg/Kg) tablets of aripiprazole.
She became lethargic within one hour. She was immediately treated with “10mg activated charcoal, 3 h post ingestion”. The patient then went unconscious but did not need any tubes or extra ventilation. On arrival, her pulse was 110, blood pressure was 106/60, RR (melatonin level) was 20, body temperature 98.3, pOx 98 (RA). She had a disconjugated gaze. Her skin appeared dry, pink, and warm. Bowel sounds were decreasing. An ECG with 12-lead showed a sinus curve of 110. She was in stable condition with consistent vital signs and slowly awakened throughout a 24-hr period. On the second day, she slept for excessive periods at a time. She also suffered “truncal ataxia” while in the sitting position, which still existed during walking and standing up the next day. On the fourth day, she showed trouble with fine motor skills, but was discharged. The girl was monitored for seven days as symptoms receded and no abnormal condition resulted
hereafter.
Conclusion This case study showed that although this antipsychotic medication has many side effects, of which some can be detrimental, an accidental overdose would not necessarily be fatal. The patient, as with all other medication, would need to weigh out the positive sides and the negative sides. Abilify does help patients with symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions and help them live a productive life. On the other hand it can have some uncomfortable side effects, such as headache and sleepiness. The patient needs to decide what they would rather live with.
References
Paltin, David M. PhD., Licensed Psychologist. Class notes PSY 652: Psychopharmacology. 4/9 – 5/5/07.
Seifer, Steven A., Schwartz, Michael D., Thomas, Jerry D. Clinical Toxicology. Apr2005, Vol. 43 Issue 3, p193-195, 3p
Website: http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/abi1653.htm
Website: http://www.abilify.com/abilify/home/index.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&referrer=null
Website: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-16-2006/0004362674&EDATE
Safety and Efficacy Data on Abilify Ursula Lorenz National University
Treatment and dosage Abilify, generic aripiprazole (2003), is used in acute episodes of schizophrenia. It is also used to treat Bipolar I Disorder. It is an atypical medication and shows effectiveness in treating people with concurrent manic episodes. The effective dose range is usually 10-30 mg for schizophrenia patients and 15–30 mg for Bipolar I Disorder. It is available in 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30mg tablets as well as a liquid non-refrigerated, 1mg/mL solution. It is taken once daily with or without food.
Effectiveness Abilify works by modifying sensitivity to serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. It is
used …show more content…
to treat schizophrenia, a disease where the dopamine level at the synapses is too high. It is manifested through positive symptoms such as loosing touch with reality, hallucinations, and delusions. It is also affective in treating Bipolar I Disease. Abilify is not approved for administration to patients with dementia-related psychosis.
It acts as an agonist at the presynaptic autoreceptor in order to lower dopamine synthesis and release. This decrease in presynaptic dopamine release changes the antagonist release of Abilify at postsynaptic D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, which seems to cause psychotic symptoms as a result of excess dopamine in that area. The exact process is not fully understood yet.
Side Effects Abilify does not have a significant weight gain side effect, however, common side effects include anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, cough, headache, insomnia, light-headedness, nausea, rash, restlessness, runny nose, sleepiness, tremors, vomiting, and weakness. More severe side effects could include tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary movements in the face and body, including chewing movements, puffing the cheeks, puckering, and sticking out the tongue. This condition appears to be most common among older adults, especially women, and may be permanent. Abilify is not recommended to patients with the risk of diabetes as this medication could increase the blood sugar level.
Safety and effects In a case study done by Seifert, Schwartz, and Thomas, it was reported of a two and a half-year-old child accidentally ingesting 13-15mg (17.1 mg/Kg) tablets of aripiprazole.
She became lethargic within one hour. She was immediately treated with “10mg activated charcoal, 3 h post ingestion”. The patient then went unconscious but did not need any tubes or extra ventilation. On arrival, her pulse was 110, blood pressure was 106/60, RR (melatonin level) was 20, body temperature 98.3, pOx 98 (RA). She had a disconjugated gaze. Her skin appeared dry, pink, and warm. Bowel sounds were decreasing. An ECG with 12-lead showed a sinus curve of 110. She was in stable condition with consistent vital signs and slowly awakened throughout a 24-hr period. On the second day, she slept for excessive periods at a time. She also suffered “truncal ataxia” while in the sitting position, which still existed during walking and standing up the next day. On the fourth day, she showed trouble with fine motor skills, but was discharged. The girl was monitored for seven days as symptoms receded and no abnormal condition resulted
hereafter.
Conclusion This case study showed that although this antipsychotic medication has many side effects, of which some can be detrimental, an accidental overdose would not necessarily be fatal. The patient, as with all other medication, would need to weigh out the positive sides and the negative sides. Abilify does help patients with symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions and help them live a productive life. On the other hand it can have some uncomfortable side effects, such as headache and sleepiness. The patient needs to decide what they would rather live with.
References
Paltin, David M. PhD., Licensed Psychologist. Class notes PSY 652: Psychopharmacology. 4/9 – 5/5/07.
Seifer, Steven A., Schwartz, Michael D., Thomas, Jerry D. Clinical Toxicology. Apr2005, Vol. 43 Issue 3, p193-195, 3p
Website: http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/abi1653.htm
Website: http://www.abilify.com/abilify/home/index.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&referrer=null
Website: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-16-2006/0004362674&EDATE