Aripiprazole Once-Monthly Versus Oral Aripiprazole for Schizophrenia in the Maintenance Phase: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: To examine whether aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) was more beneficial than oral aripiprazole (OARI) in the treatment of adults with schizophrenia during the maintenance phase.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized controlled trials that included two of the following treatments: AOM, OARI, and placebo.

Results: We identified four studies involving 1830 adults. Relapse rates at 26 weeks were lower for both AOM (odds ratio [OR] 0.240, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.169-0.341) and OARI (OR=0.306, 95%CI=0.217-0.431) than for placebo, although their treatment outcomes did not differ significantly (OR=0.786, 95%CI=0.529-1.168). Rates of all-cause discontinuation were also lower with AOM (OR=0.300, 95% CI=0.227-0.396) and OARI (OR=0.441, 95%CI=0.333-0.582) than with placebo. The rate of all-cause discontinuation was lower with AOM than with OARI (OR=0.681, 95% CI=0.529-0.877)]. Other outcomes did not differ significantly between AOM and OARI.

Discussion: Although both AOM and OARI were efficacious in the treatment of schizophrenia during the maintenance phase, AOM was better accepted than OARI.