P0256 - Aripiprazole in schizophrenic patients

Abstract

We worked with a group of 36 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR) who were in a chronic condition, with a predominance of negative and depressive-amotivational sympthomatology. They were on a long-term therapy with antipsychotic agents, achieving just a light improvement on the symptoms.

We switched to aripiprazole using a daily dosage of 15-30 mg. We evaluated the results on PANSS and ICG scales at the beginning of the treatment and after the first and third month, whilst paying special attention to the side-effects and adverse reactions that occurred. Concomitantly, we used benzodiacepines and hypnotics during the first two weeks, and antipakinsonism agents were not needed.

From an average initial PANSS score of 74 and ICG score of 3.6, after a month, PANSS average score lowered to 60 and ICG's came down to 3. After 3 months, PANSS average score was 45 and ICG'S was 2.5.

There was no need for discontinuing the treatment in 35 of the patients. One patient discontinued treatment and follow-up. Side-effects were Invaluable in general, though at the start insomia and light jitterness were observed in some of the patients.

We believe that aripiprazole is a very useful antipsychotic drug, not only for controlling acute episodes, but also on chronic patients for its effectiveness and good tolerability.