Aripiprazole monotherapy in acute mania: 12-week randomised placebo- and haloperidol-controlled study.

Author(s): Young AH, Oren DA, Lowy A, McQuade RD, Marcus RN, Carson WH, Spiller NH, Torbeyns AF, Sanchez R

Affiliation(s): Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. allanyoun@gmail.com

Publication date & source: 2009-01, Br J Psychiatry., 194(1):40-8.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND: Well-tolerated and effective therapies for bipolar mania are required. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole as acute and maintenance of effect therapy in patients with bipolar I disorder experiencing manic or mixed episodes. METHOD: Patients were randomised to double-blind aripiprazole (15 or 30 mg/day; n=167), placebo (n=153) or haloperidol (5-15 mg/day, n=165) for 3 weeks (trial registration NCT00097266). Aripiprazole- and haloperidol-treated patients remained on masked treatment for 9 additional weeks. RESULTS: Mean change in Young Mania Rating Scale Total score (primary end-point) at week 3 was significantly greater with aripiprazole (-12.0; P<0.05) and haloperidol (-12.8; P<0.01) than with placebo (-9.7). Improvements were maintained to week 12 for aripiprazole (-17.2) and haloperidol (-17.8). Aripiprazole was well tolerated. Extrapyramidal adverse events were more frequent with haloperidol than aripiprazole (53.3% v. 23.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvements with aripiprazole were sustained to week 12. Aripiprazole was generally well tolerated.