Two-Injection Start Regimen of Long-Acting Injectable Aripiprazole: Retrospective Data From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Turkey.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a newly developed two-injection start (TIS) regimen of aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) in adult patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder who were regularly followed at our clinic between January 2023 and October 2024 and initiated on the AOM treatment following the TIS regimen. Recorded data included diagnoses, sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender), concurrent psychotropic medications at the time of AOM-TIS initiation, time of hospital discharge following AOM-TIS administration, and details regarding their last AOM treatment.

Results: This study included 29 patients (17 females and 12 males; mean age 36.62 ± 12.18 years) who received AOM according to the TIS regimen. AOM was administered as monotherapy in 48.2% of cases. Three patients initiated treatment directly with the AOM-TIS regimen, while nine patients did not receive any concomitant psychotropic medication. Five patients were prescribed mood stabilizers in combination with the AOM-TIS regimen. No serious adverse events, including arrhythmias, severe hyperthermia, impaired consciousness, akathisia, or allergic reactions, were reported following AOM-TIS administration.

Conclusions: The AOM-TIS regimen enables the attainment of therapeutic plasma concentrations within a shortened timeframe, facilitating a more rapid clinical response. This approach may contribute to reduced healthcare costs by shortening the duration of hospitalization and enhancing patient adherence, supported by its favorable tolerability profile.