The use of atypical antipsychotic agents in early onset schizophrenia is rising despite its limited data on efficacy, safety and tolerability. Early onset schizophrenia warrants effective pharmacological treatment that is safe and well tolerated by children and adolescent population. Existing atypical agents are not completely free of side effects. Aripiprazole has unique properties that differ from other atypical antipsychotics and fill up the missing gaps, as it is associated with minimal metabolic complications and extrapyramidal side effects that are more commonly seen in other atypical agents. It offers a better option for this population and may possibly be considered as first line treatment in future. This case report demonstrates the efficacy and safety of Aripiprazole in children and adolescent population.
Various genetic polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. In this study, we aimed to determine whether risk polymorphisms in 12 candidate genes are associated with reduction in body mass index (BMI) of patients following switching of antipsychotics to aripiprazole or ziprasidone.
The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole for treatment of psychosis, retention and abstinence in patients with methamphetamine dependence.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy in Malaysia.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted at multiple centres between June 2008 and September 2011. Two hundred and five patients who fulfilled the DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and who had been on antipsychotic medication for at least one year, were screened for metabolic syndrome. Patients receiving a mood stabilizer were excluded from the study. Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults Treatment Panel III (ATP III) modified for Asian waist circumference.
RESULTS: In the first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) group, the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was among patients treated with trifluoperazine and flupenthixol decanoate (66.7% each). For the second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) group, the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was among patients treated with clozapine (66.7%). The component with the highest prevalence in metabolic syndrome was waist circumference in both FGA and SGA groups except for aripiprazole in SGA.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy in Malaysia was very high. Intervention measures are urgently needed to combat these problems.
KEYWORDS: Antipsychotics; Metabolic syndrome; Monotherapy; Prevalence; Schizophrenia