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ABILIFY MAINTENA®
(aripiprazole) Injection
WARNING
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic which is present in ABILIFY MAINTENA as its monohydrate polymorphic form. Aripiprazole monohydrate is 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl] butoxy]-3,4 dihydrocarbostyril monohydrate. The empirical formula is C23H27Cl2N3O2•H2O and its molecular weight is 466.40. The chemical structure is:
 |
ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole) is an extended-release injectable suspension available in 400-mg or 300-mg strength pre-filled dual chamber syringes and 400-mg or 300-mg strength vials. The labeled strengths are calculated based on the anhydrous form (aripiprazole). Inactive ingredients (per administered dose) for 400 mg and 300 mg strength products, respectively, include carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (16.64 mg and 12.48 mg), mannitol (83.2 mg and 62.4 mg), sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate (1.48 mg and 1.11 mg) and sodium hydroxide (pH adjuster).
ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole) is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia [see Clinical Studies].
ABILIFY MAINTENA is only to be administered by intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional. The recommended starting and maintenance dose of ABILIFY MAINTENA is 400 mg monthly (no sooner than 26 days after the previous injection).
For patients who have never taken aripiprazole, establish tolerability with oral aripiprazole prior to initiating treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA. Due to the half-life of oral aripiprazole, it may take up to 2 weeks to fully assess tolerability.
After the first ABILIFY MAINTENA injection, administer oral aripiprazole (10 mg to 20 mg) for 14 consecutive days to achieve therapeutic aripiprazole concentrations during initiation of therapy. For patients already stable on another oral antipsychotic (and known to tolerate aripiprazole), after the first ABILIFY MAINTENA injection, continue treatment with the antipsychotic for 14 consecutive days to maintain therapeutic antipsychotic concentrations during initiation of therapy.
If there are adverse reactions with the 400 mg dosage, consider reducing the dosage to 300 mg once monthly.
If the second or third doses are missed:
If the fourth or subsequent doses are missed:
Dosage adjustments are recommended in patients who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers and in patients taking concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors or CYP2D6 inhibitors for greater than 14 days (see Table 1). Dosage adjustments for 200 mg and 160 mg are obtained only by using the 300 mg or 400 mg strength vials for intramuscular deltoid or gluteal injection.
If the CYP3A4 inhibitor or CYP2D6 inhibitor is withdrawn, the ABILIFY MAINTENA dosage may need to be increased [see Dosage Overview for the Treatment of Schizophrenia above].
Avoid the concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers with ABILIFY MAINTENA for greater than 14 days because the blood levels of aripiprazole are decreased and may be below the effective levels.
Dosage adjustments are not recommended for patients with concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors, CYP2D6 inhibitors or CYP3A4 inducers for less than 14 days.
Table 1: Dose Adjustments of ABILIFY MAINTENA in
Patients who are known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers and Patients Taking Concomitant
CYP2D6 Inhibitors, 3A4 Inhibitors, and/or CYP3A4 Inducers for Greater than 14
days
| Factors | Adjusted Dose |
| CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers | |
| Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers | 300 mg |
| Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers taking concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors | 200 mg1 |
| Patients Taking 400 mg of ABILIFY MAINTENA | |
| Strong CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 inhibitors | 300 mg |
| CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors | 200 mg1 |
| CYP3A4 inducers | Avoid use |
| Patients Taking 300 mg of ABILIFY MAINTENA | |
| Strong CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 inhibitors | 200 mg1 |
| CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors | 160 mg1 |
| CYP3A4 inducers | Avoid use |
| 1 200 mg and 160 mg dosage adjustments are obtained only by using the 300 mg or 400 mg strength vials. | |
ABILIFY MAINTENA comes in two types of kits. See instructions for reconstitution/injection/disposal procedures for 1) Pre-filled Dual Chamber Syringe, and 2) Vials.
There are two aripiprazole formulations for intramuscular use with different dosages, dosing frequencies, and indications. ABILIFY MAINTENA is a long-acting aripiprazole formulation with 4 week dosing intervals indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. In contrast, aripiprazole injection (9.75 mg per vial) is a short-acting formulation indicated for agitation in patients with schizophrenia or mania. Do not substitute these products. Refer to the prescribing information for aripiprazole injection for more information about aripiprazole injection.
ABILIFY MAINTENA comes in two types of kits. See instructions for reconstitution/injection/disposal procedures for 1) Pre-filled Dual Chamber Syringe available in 300 mg or 400 mg strength syringes [see section below], and 2) Single-use vials available in 300 mg or 400 mg strength vials [see section below].
The 200 mg and 160 mg dosage adjustments are obtained only by using the 300 mg or 400 mg strength vials.
For deep intramuscular deltoid or gluteal injection by healthcare professionals only. Do not administer by any other route. Inject full syringe contents immediately following reconstitution. Administer once monthly.
Lay out and confirm that components listed below are provided in the kit:
Reconstitute at room temperature.
a) Push plunger rod slightly to engage threads. And then, rotate plunger rod until the rod stops rotating to release diluent. After plunger rod is at complete stop, middle stopper will be at the indicator line (See Figure 1).
Figure 1
 |
b) Vertically shake the syringe vigorously for 20 seconds until drug is uniformly milky-white (See Figure 2).
Figure 2
 |
c) Visually inspect the syringe for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The reconstituted ABILIFY MAINTENA suspension should appear to be a uniform, homogeneous suspension that is opaque and milky-white in color.
Use appropriate aseptic techniques throughout injection procedure. For deep intramuscular injection only.
a) Twist and pull off Over-cap and Tip-cap (See Figure 3).
Figure 3
 |
b) Select appropriate needle (See Figure 4).
Figure 4
 |
For deltoid administration:
For gluteal administration:
c) While holding the needle cap, ensure the needle is firmly seated on the safety device with a push. Twist clockwise until SNUGLY fitted (See Figure 5).
Figure 5
 |
d) Then PULL needle-cap straight up (see Figure 6).
Figure 6
 |
e) Hold syringe UPRIGHT and ADVANCE PLUNGER ROD SLOWLY TO EXPEL THE AIR. Expel air until suspension fills needle base. If it’s not possible to advance plunger rod to expel the air, check that plunger rod is rotated to a complete stop (See Figure 7).
Figure 7
 |
f) Inject slowly into the deltoid or gluteal muscle. Do not massage the injection site.
a) Engage the needle safety device and safely discard all kit components (See Figure 8).
ABILIFY MAINTENA pre-filled dual chamber syringe is for single-use only.
Figure 8
 |
b) Rotate sites of injections between the two deltoid or gluteal muscles.
b) ABILIFY MAINTENA should be suspended using the Sterile Water for Injection as supplied in the kit.
c) The Sterile Water for Injection and ABILIFY MAINTENA vials are for single-use only.
d) Use appropriate aseptic techniques throughout reconstitution and reconstitute at room temperature.
e) Select the amount of Sterile Water for Injection needed for reconstitution (see Table 2).
Table 2: Amount of Sterile Water for Injection Needed
for Reconstitution
| 400 mg Vial | 300 mg Vial | ||
| Dose | Sterile Water for Injection | Dose | Sterile Water for Injection |
| 400 mg | 1.9 mL | 300 mg | 1.5 mL |
Important: There is more Sterile Water for Injection in the vial than is needed to reconstitute ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole) for extended-release injectable suspension. The vial will have excess Sterile Water for Injection; discard any unused portion.
a) Remove the cap of the vial of Sterile Water for Injection and remove the cap of the vial containing ABILIFY MAINTENA lyophilized powder and wipe the tops with a sterile alcohol swab.
b) Using the syringe with pre-attached hypodermic safety needle, withdraw the predetermined Sterile Water for Injection volume from the vial of Sterile Water for Injection into the syringe (see Figure 9). Residual Sterile Water for Injection will remain in the vial following withdrawal; discard any unused portion.
Figure 9
 |
c) Slowly inject the Sterile Water for Injection into the vial containing the ABILIFY MAINTENA lyophilized powder (see Figure 10).
Figure 10
 |
d) Withdraw air to equalize the pressure in the vial by pulling back slightly on the plunger. Subsequently, remove the needle from the vial. Engage the needle safety device by using the one-handed technique (see Figure 11). Gently press the sheath against a flat surface until the needle is firmly engaged in the needle protection sheath. Visually confirm that the needle is fully engaged into the needle protection sheath, and discard.
Figure 11
 |
e) Shake the vial vigorously for 30 seconds until the reconstituted suspension appears uniform (see Figure 12).
Figure 12
 |
f) Visually inspect the reconstituted suspension for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The reconstituted ABILIFY MAINTENA is a uniform, homogeneous suspension that is opaque and milky-white in color.
g) If the injection is not performed immediately after reconstitution keep the vial at room temperature and shake the vial vigorously for at least 60 seconds to re-suspend prior to injection.
h) Do not store the reconstituted suspension in a syringe.
a) Use appropriate aseptic techniques throughout injection of the reconstituted ABILIFY MAINTENA suspension.
b) Remove the cover from the vial adapter package (see Figure 13). Do not remove the vial adapter from the package.
Figure 13
 |
c) Using the vial adapter package to handle the vial adapter, attach the prepackaged luer lock syringe to the vial adapter (see Figure 14).
Figure 14
 |
d) Use the luer lock syringe to remove the vial adapter from the package and discard the vial adapter package (see Figure 15). Do not touch the spike tip of the adapter at any time.
Figure 15
 |
Table 3: ABILIFY MAINTENA
Reconstituted Suspension Volume to Inject
| 400 mg Vial | 300 mg Vial | ||
| Dose | Volume to Inject | Dose | Volume to Inject |
| 400 mg | 2 mL | — | — |
| 300 mg | 1.5 mL | 300 mg | 1.5 mL |
| 200 mg | 1 mL | 200 mg | 1 mL |
| 160 mg | 0.8 mL | 160 mg | 0.8 mL |
f) Wipe the top of the vial of the reconstituted ABILIFY MAINTENA suspension with a sterile alcohol swab.
g) Place and hold the vial of the reconstituted ABILIFY MAINTENA suspension on a hard surface. Attach the adapter-syringe assembly to the vial by holding the outside of the adapter and pushing the adapter's spike firmly through the rubber stopper, until the adapter snaps in place (see Figure 16).
Figure 16
 |
h) Slowly withdraw the recommended volume from the vial into the luer lock syringe to allow for injection (see Figure 17). A small amount of excess product will remain in the vial.
Figure 17
 |
a) Detach the luer lock syringe containing the recommended volume of reconstituted ABILIFY MAINTENA suspension from the vial.
b) Select the appropriate hypodermic safety needle and attach the needle to the luer lock syringe containing the suspension for injection. While holding the needle cap, ensure the needle is firmly seated on the safety device with a push. Twist clockwise until snugly fitted and then pull the needle cap straight away from the needle (see Figure 18).
For deltoid administration:
For gluteal administration:
Figure 18
 |
(c) Slowly inject the recommended volume as a single intramuscular injection into the deltoid or gluteal muscle. Do not massage the injection site.
a) Engage the needle safety device as described in Section 2.6, Step (d) of Reconstitution of Lyophilized Powder in Vial and safely discard all kit components (see Figure 8). Dispose of the vials, adapter, needles, and syringe appropriately after injection. The Sterile Water for Injection and ABILIFY MAINTENA vials are for single-use only.
b) Rotate sites of injections between the two deltoid or gluteal muscles.
For extended-release injectable suspension: 300 mg and 400 mg of lyophilized powder for reconstitution in:
The reconstituted extended-release injectable suspension is a uniform, homogeneous suspension that is opaque and milky-white in color.
ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole) pre-filled dual chamber syringe for extended-release injectable suspension in single-use syringes is available in 300 mg or 400 mg strength syringes. The pre-filled dual chamber syringe consists of a front chamber that contains the lyophilized powder of aripiprazole monohydrate and a rear chamber that contains sterile water for injection.
The 300 mg kit includes ( 59148-045-80):
The 400 mg kit includes ( 59148-072-80):
Single-Use Vial:
ABILIFY MAINTENA (aripiprazole) extended-release injectable suspension in single-use vials is available in 300 mg or 400 mg strength vials.
The 300 mg kit includes ( 59148-018-71):
The 400 mg kit includes ( 59148-019-71):
Store below 30°C [86°F]. Do not freeze. Protect the syringe from light by storing in the original package until time of use.
Store at 25°C (77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Distributed and marketed by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850 USA Marketed by Lundbeck, Deerfield, IL 60015 USA ABILIFY MAINTENA is a trademark of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company. Revised: Aug 2016
The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Oral aripiprazole has been evaluated for safety in 16,114 adult patients who participated in multiple-dose, clinical trials in schizophrenia and other indications, and who had approximately 8,578 patient-years of exposure to oral aripiprazole. A total of 3,901 patients were treated with oral aripiprazole for at least 180 days, 2,259 patients were treated with oral aripiprazole for at least 360 days, and 933 patients continuing aripiprazole treatment for at least 720 days.
ABILIFY MAINTENA has been evaluated for safety in 2,188 adult patients in clinical trials in schizophrenia, with approximately 2,646 patient-years of exposure to ABILIFY MAINTENA. A total of 1,230 patients were treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA for at least 180 days (at least 7 consecutive injections) and 935 patients treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA had at least 1 year of exposure (at least 13 consecutive injections).
The conditions and duration of treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA included double-blind and open-label studies. The safety data presented below are derived from the 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adult patients with schizophrenia.
Based on the placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in schizophrenia, the most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of ABILIFY MAINTENA in patients (incidence of 5% or greater and aripiprazole incidence at least twice that for placebo) were increased weight (16.8% vs 7.0%), akathisia (11.4% vs 3.5%), injection site pain (5.4% vs 0.6%) and sedation (5.4% vs 1.2%).
The following findings are based on the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that compared ABILIFY MAINTENA 400 mg or 300 mg to placebo in patients with schizophrenia. Table 7 lists the adverse reactions reported in 2% or more of ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated subjects and at a greater proportion than in the placebo group.
Table 7: Adverse Reactions in ≥ 2% of ABILIFY
MAINTENA-Treated Adult Patients with Schizophrenia in a 12-Week Double-Blind,
Placebo-Controlled Triala
| System Organ Class Preferred Term |
Percentage of Patients Reporting Reactiona | |
| ABILIFY MAINTENA (n=167) |
Placebo (n=172) |
|
| Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||
| Constipation | 10 | 7 |
| Dry Mouth | 4 | 2 |
| Diarrhea | 3 | 2 |
| Vomiting | 3 | 1 |
| Abdominal Discomfort | 2 | 1 |
| General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | ||
| Injection Site Pain | 5 | 1 |
| Infections and Infestations | ||
| Upper Respiratory Tract | 4 | 2 |
| Infection Investigations | ||
| Increased Weight | 17 | 7 |
| Decreased Weight | 4 | 2 |
| Musculoskeletal And Connective Tissue Disorders | ||
| Arthralgia | 4 | 1 |
| Back Pain | 4 | 2 |
| Myalgia | 4 | 2 |
| Musculoskeletal Pain | 3 | 1 |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||
| Akathisia | 11 | 4 |
| Sedation | 5 | 1 |
| Dizziness | 4 | 2 |
| Tremor | 3 | 1 |
| Respiratory, Thoracic And Mediastinal | ||
| Nasal Congestion | 2 | 1 |
| a This table does not include adverse reactions which had an incidence equal to or less than placebo. | ||
The following listing does not include reactions: 1) already listed in previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, 2) for which a drug cause was remote, 3) which were so general as to be uninformative, 4) which were not considered to have significant clinical implications, or 5) which occurred at a rate equal to or less than placebo.
Reactions are categorized by body system according to the following definitions: frequent adverse reactions are those occurring in at least 1/100 patients; infrequent adverse reactions are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients; rare reactions are those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients:
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: rare -thrombocytopenia
Cardiac Disorders: infrequent -tachycardia, rare -bradycardia, sinus tachycardia
Endocrine Disorders: rare -hypoprolactinemia
Eye Disorders: infrequent -vision blurred, oculogyric crisis
Gastrointestinal Disorders: infrequent -abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, nausea, rare -swollen tongue
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: frequent -fatigue, injection site reactions (including erythema, induration, pruritus, injection site reaction, swelling, rash, inflammation, hemorrhage), infrequent -chest discomfort, gait disturbance, rare-irritability, pyrexia
Hepatobiliary Disorders: rare -drug induced liver injury
Immune System Disorders: rare -drug hypersensitivity
Infections and Infestations: rare -nasopharyngitis
Investigations: infrequent -blood creatine phosphokinase increased, blood pressure decreased, hepatic enzyme increased, liver function test abnormal, electrocardiogram QT-prolonged, rare blood triglycerides decreased, blood cholesterol decreased, electrocardiogram T-wave abnormal
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: infrequent -decreased appetite, obesity, hyperinsulinemia
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: infrequent -joint stiffness, muscle twitching, rare -rhabdomyolysis
Nervous System Disorders: infrequent -cogwheel rigidity, extrapyramidal disorder, hypersomnia, lethargy, rare-bradykinesia, convulsion, dysgeusia, memory impairment, oromandibular dystonia
Psychiatric Disorders: frequent -anxiety, insomnia restlessness, infrequent-agitation, bruxism, depression, psychotic disorder, suicidal ideation, rare -aggression, hypersexuality, panic attack
Renal and Urinary Disorders: rare -glycosuria, pollakiuria, urinary incontinence
Vascular Disorders: infrequent -hypertension
An examination of population subgroups was performed across demographic subgroup categories for adverse reactions experienced by at least 5% of ABILIFY MAINTENA subjects at least twice rate of the placebo (i.e., increased weight, akathisia, injection site pain, and sedation) in the double-blind placebo-controlled trial. This analysis did not reveal evidence of differences in safety differential adverse reaction incidence on the basis of age, gender, or race alone; however, there were few subjects ≥ 65 years of age.
In the data from the short-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with ABILIFY MAINTENA in patients with schizophrenia, the percent of patients reporting any injection site-related adverse reaction (all reported as injection site pain) was 5.4% for patients treated with gluteal administered ABILIFY MAINTENA and 0.6% for placebo. The mean intensity of injection pain reported by subjects using a visual analog scale (0=no pain to 100=unbearably painful) approximately one hour after injection was 7.1 (SD 14.5) for the first injection and 4.8 (SD 12.4) at the last visit in the double-blind, placebo-controlled phase.
In an open-label study comparing bioavailability of ABILIFY MAINTENA administered in the deltoid or gluteal muscle, injection site pain was observed in both groups at approximately equal rates.
In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adults with schizophrenia, the incidence of reported EPS-related events, excluding events related to akathisia, for ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients was 9.6% vs. 5.2% for placebo. The incidence of akathisia-related events for ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients was 11.5% vs. 3.5% for placebo.
Symptoms of dystonia, prolonged abnormal contractions of muscle groups, may occur in susceptible individuals during the first few days of treatment. Dystonic symptoms include: spasm of the neck muscles, sometimes progressing to tightness of the throat, swallowing difficulty, difficulty breathing, and/or protrusion of the tongue. While these symptoms can occur at low doses, they occur more frequently and with greater severity with high potency and at higher doses of first generation antipsychotic drugs. An elevated risk of acute dystonia is observed in males and younger age groups. In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adults with schizophrenia, the incidence of dystonia was 1.8% for ABILIFY MAINTENA vs. 0.6% for placebo.
In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial of ABILIFY MAINTENA in adults with schizophrenia, the incidence of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≤ 1.5 thous/μL) for ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients was 5.7% vs. 2.1% for placebo. An absolute neutrophil count of < 1 thous/μL (i.e. 0.95 thous/μL) was observed in only one patient on ABILIFY MAINTENA and resolved spontaneously without any associated adverse events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
The following is a list of additional adverse reactions that have been reported in clinical trials with oral aripiprazole and not reported above for ABILIFY MAINTENA:
Cardiac Disorders: palpitations, cardiopulmonary failure, myocardial infarction, cardiorespiratory arrest, atrioventricular block, extrasystoles, angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia
Eye Disorders: photophobia, diplopia, eyelid edema, photopsia
Gastrointestinal Disorders: gastroesophageal reflux disease, swollen tongue, esophagitis, pancreatitis, stomach discomfort, toothache
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: asthenia, peripheral edema, chest pain, face edema, angioedema, hypothermia, pain
Hepatobiliary Disorders: hepatitis, jaundice
Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity
Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications: heat stroke
Investigations: blood prolactin increased, blood urea increased, blood creatinine increased, blood bilirubin increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, glycosylated hemoglobin increased
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: anorexia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, polydipsia, diabetic ketoacidosis
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: muscle rigidity, muscular weakness, muscle tightness, decreased mobility, rhabdomyolysis, musculoskeletal stiffness, pain in extremity, muscle spasms
Nervous System Disorders: coordination abnormal, speech disorder, hypokinesia, hypotonia, myoclonus, akinesia, bradykinesia, choreoathetosis
Psychiatric Disorders: loss of libido, suicide attempt, hostility, libido increased, anger, anorgasmia, delirium, intentional self injury, completed suicide, tic, homicidal ideation, catatonia, sleep walking
Renal and Urinary Disorders: urinary retention, polyuria, nocturia
Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: menstruation irregular, erectile dysfunction, amenorrhea, breast pain, gynecomastia, priapism
Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: nasal congestion, dyspnea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, cough
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: rash (including erythematous, exfoliative, generalized, macular, maculopapular, papular rash; acneiform, allergic, contact, exfoliative, seborrheic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, and drug eruption), hyperhidrosis, pruritus, photosensitivity reaction, alopecia, urticaria
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of oral aripiprazole or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: occurrences of allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, laryngospasm, pruritus/urticaria, or oropharyngeal spasm), pathological gambling, hiccups and blood glucose fluctuation.
Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions With ABILIFY MAINTENA
Table 8: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with
ABILIFY MAINTENA
| Concomitant Drug Name or Drug Class | Clinical Rationale | Clinical Recommendation |
| Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) or strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., paroxetine, fluoxetine) | The concomitant use of oral aripiprazole with strong CYP 3A4 or CYP2D6 inhibitors increased the exposure of aripiprazole [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. | With concomitant use of ABILIFY MAINTENA with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or CYP2D6 inhibitor for more than 14 days, reduce the ABILIFY MAINTENA dosage [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRA TION]. |
| Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., carbamazepine) | The concomitant use of oral aripiprazole and carbamazepine decreased the exposure of aripiprazole [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. | Avoid use of ABILIFY MAINTENA in combination with carbamazepine and other inducers of CYP3A4 for greater than 14 days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. |
| Antihypertensive Drugs | Due to its alpha adrenergic antagonism, aripiprazole has the potential to enhance the effect of certain antihypertensive agents. | Monitor blood pressure and adjust dose accordingly [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. |
| Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam) | The intensity of sedation was greater with the combination of oral aripiprazole and lorazepam as accordingly. compared to that observed with aripiprazole alone. The orthostatic hypotension observed was greater with the combination as compared to that observed with lorazepam alone [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. | Monitor sedation and blood pressure. Adjust dose |
Based on pharmacokinetic studies with oral aripiprazole, no dosage adjustment of ABILIFY MAINTENA is required when administered concomitantly with famotidine, valproate, lithium, lorazepam [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
In addition, no dosage adjustment is necessary for substrates of CYP2D6 (e.g., dextromethorphan, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or venlafaxine), CYP2C9 (e.g., warfarin), CYP2C19 (e.g., omeprazole, warfarin), or CYP3A4 (e.g., dextromethorphan) when co-administered with ABILIFY MAINTENA. Additionally, no dosage adjustment is necessary for valproate, lithium, lamotrigine, lorazepam, or sertraline when co-administered with ABILIFY MAINTENA. [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of 17 placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group.
Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
In placebo-controlled clinical studies (two flexible dose and one fixed dose study) of dementia-related psychosis, there was an increased incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, in oral aripiprazole-treated patients (mean age: 84 years; range: 78-88 years). In the fixed-dose study, there was a statistically significant dose response relationship for cerebrovascular adverse reactions in patients treated with oral aripiprazole. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) may occur with administration of antipsychotic drugs, including ABILIFY MAINTENA. Rare cases of NMS occurred during aripiprazole treatment in the worldwide clinical database.
Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure.
The diagnostic evaluation of patients with this syndrome is complicated. In arriving at a diagnosis, it is important to exclude cases where the clinical presentation includes both serious medical illness (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection) and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (EPS). Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous system pathology.
The management of NMS should include: 1) immediate discontinuation of antipsychotic drugs and other drugs not essential to concurrent therapy; 2) intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring; and 3) treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific treatments are available. There is no general agreement about specific pharmacological treatment regimens for uncomplicated NMS.
If a patient requires antipsychotic drug treatment after recovery from NMS, the potential reintroduction of drug therapy should be carefully considered. The patient should be carefully monitored, since recurrences of NMS have been reported.
A syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Although the prevalence of the syndrome appears to be highest among the elderly, especially elderly women, it is impossible to rely upon prevalence estimates to predict, at the inception of antipsychotic treatment, which patients are likely to develop the syndrome. Whether antipsychotic drug products differ in their potential to cause tardive dyskinesia is unknown.
The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase as the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose of antipsychotic drugs administered to the patient increase. However, the syndrome can develop, although much less commonly, after relatively brief treatment periods at low doses.
There is no known treatment for established tardive dyskinesia, although the syndrome may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is withdrawn. Antipsychotic treatment, itself, however, may suppress (or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome and, thereby, may possibly mask the underlying process. The effect of symptomatic suppression on the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown.
Given these considerations, ABILIFY MAINTENA should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia. Chronic antipsychotic treatment should generally be reserved for patients who suffer from a chronic illness that 1) is known to respond to antipsychotic drugs and 2) for whom alternative, equally effective, but potentially less harmful treatments are not available or appropriate. In patients who do require chronic treatment, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment producing a satisfactory clinical response should be sought. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically.
If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA drug discontinuation should be considered. However, some patients may require treatment with ABILIFY MAINTENA despite the presence of the syndrome.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that include hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. While all drugs in the class have been shown to produce some metabolic changes, each drug has its own specific risk profile.
Hyperglycemia, in some cases extreme and associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. There have been reports of hyperglycemia in patients treated with aripiprazole [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Assessment of the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and glucose abnormalities is complicated by the possibility of an increased background risk of diabetes mellitus in patients with schizophrenia and the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in the general population. Given these confounders, the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and hyperglycemia-related adverse reactions is not completely understood. However, epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of hyperglycemia-related adverse reactions in patients treated with the atypical antipsychotics.
Patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who are started on atypical antipsychotics should be monitored regularly for worsening of glucose control. Patients with risk factors for diabetes mellitus (e.g., obesity, family history of diabetes), who are starting treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing at the beginning of treatment and periodically during treatment. Any patient treated with atypical antipsychotics should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Patients who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia during treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing. In some cases, hyperglycemia has resolved when the atypical antipsychotic was discontinued; however, some patients required continuation of anti-diabetic treatment despite discontinuation of the atypical antipsychotic drug.
In a short-term, placebo-controlled randomized trial in adults with schizophrenia, the mean change in fasting glucose was +9.8 mg/dL (N=88) in the ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients and +0.7 mg/dL (N=59) in the placebo-treated patients. Table 4 shows the proportion of ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients with normal and borderline fasting glucose at baseline and their changes in fasting glucose measurements.
Table 4: Proportion of
Patients with Potential Clinically Relevant Changes in Fasting Glucose from a
12-Week Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trial in Adult Patients with
Schizophrenia
| Category Change (at least once) from Baseline | Treatment Arm | n/Na | % | |
| Fasting Glucose | Normal to High ( < 100 mg/dL to ≥ 126 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 7/88 | 8.0 |
| Placebo | 0/75 | 0.0 | ||
| Borderline to High ( ≥ 100 mg/dL and < 126 mg/dL to ≥ 126 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 1/33 | 3.0 | |
| Placebo | 3/33 | 9.1 | ||
| a N = the total number of subjects who had a measurement at baseline and at least one post-baseline result. n = the number of subjects with a potentially clinically relevant shift. | ||||
Undesirable alterations in lipids have been observed in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics.
Table 5 shows the proportion of adult patients from one short-term, placebo-controlled randomized trial in adults with schizophrenia taking ABILIFY MAINTENA, with changes in total cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, fasting LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
Table 5: Proportion of
Patients with Potential Clinically Relevant Changes in Blood Lipid Parameters
From a 12-Week Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Trial in Adults with Schizophrenia
| Treatment Arm | n/Na | % | |
| Total Cholesterol | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 3/83 | 3.6 |
| Normal to High ( < 200 mg/dL to ≥ 240 mg/dL) | Placebo | 2/73 | 2.7 |
| Borderline to High (200~ < 240 mg/dL to ≥ 240 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 6/27 | 22.2 |
| Placebo | 2/19 | 10.5 | |
| Any increase ( ≥ 40 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 15/122 | 12.3 |
| Placebo | 6/110 | 5.5 | |
| Fasting Triglycerides | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 7/98 | 7.1 |
| Normal to High ( < 150 mg/dL to ≥ 200 mg/dL) | Placebo | 4/78 | 5.1 |
| Borderline to High (150~ < 200 mg/dL to ≥ 200 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 3/11 | 27.3 |
| Placebo | 4/15 | 26.7 | |
| Any increase ( ≥ 50 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 24/122 | 19.7 |
| Placebo | 20/110 | 18.2 | |
| Fasting LDL Cholesterol | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 1/59 | 1.7 |
| Normal to High ( < 100 mg/dL to ≥ 160 mg/dL) | Placebo | 1/51 | 2.0 |
| Borderline to High (100~ < 160 mg/dL to ≥ 160 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 5/52 | 9.6 |
| Placebo | 1/41 | 2.4 | |
| Any increase ( ≥ 30 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 17/120 | 14.2 |
| Placebo | 9/103 | 8.7 | |
| HDL Cholesterol | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 14/104 | 13.5 |
| Normal to Low ( ≥ 40 mg/dL to < 40 mg/dL) | Placebo | 11/87 | 12.6 |
| Any decrease ( ≥ 20 mg/dL) | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 7/122 | 5.7 |
| Placebo | 12/110 | 10.9 | |
| a N = the total number of subjects who had a measurement at baseline and at least one post-baseline result. n = the number of subjects with a potentially clinically relevant shift. | |||
Weight gain has been observed with atypical antipsychotic use. Clinical monitoring of weight is recommended.
In one short-term, placebo-controlled trial with ABILIFY MAINTENA, the mean change in body weight at Week 12 was +3.5 kg (N=99) in the ABILIFY MAINTENA-treated patients and +0.8 kg (N=66) in the placebo-treated patients.
Table 6 shows the percentage of adult patients with weight gain ≥ 7% of body weight in a short-term, placebo-controlled trial with ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Table 6: Percentage of
Patients From a 12-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial in Adult Patients with
Schizophrenia with Weight Gain ≥ 7% of Body Weight
| Treatment Arm | Na | Patients n (%) | |
| Weight gain ≥ 7% of body weight | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 144 | 31 (21.5) |
| Placebo | 141 | 12 (8.5) | |
| a N = the total number of subjects who had a measurement at baseline and at least one post-baseline result. | |||
Post-marketing case reports suggest that patients can experience intense urges, particularly for gambling, and the inability to control these urges while taking aripiprazole. Other compulsive urges, reported less frequently, include: sexual urges, shopping, eating or binge eating, and other impulsive or compulsive behaviors. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to ask patients or their caregivers specifically about the development of new or intense gambling urges, compulsive sexual urges, compulsive shopping, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges while being treated with aripiprazole. It should be noted that impulse-control symptoms can be associated with the underlying disorder. In some cases, although not all, urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced or the medication was discontinued. Compulsive behaviors may result in harm to the patient and others if not recognized. Consider dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges.
ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause orthostatic hypotension, perhaps due to its α1-adrenergic receptor antagonism. In the short-term, placebo-controlled trial in adults with schizophrenia, the adverse event of presyncope was reported in 1/167 (0.6%) of patients treated with ABILFY MAINTENA, while syncope and orthostatic hypotension were each reported in 1/172 (0.6%) of patients treated with placebo. During the stabilization phase of the randomized-withdrawal (maintenance) study, orthostasis-related adverse events were reported in 4/576 (0.7%) of patients treated with ABILIFY MAINTENA, including abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (1/576, 0.2%), postural dizziness (1/576, 0.2%), presyncope (1/576, 0.2%) and orthostatic hypotension (1/576, 0.2%).
In the short-term placebo-controlled trial, there were no patients in either treatment group with a significant orthostatic change in blood pressure (defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure ≥ 20 mmHg accompanied by an increase in heart rate ≥ 25 when comparing standing to supine values). During the stabilization phase of the randomized-withdrawal (maintenance) study, the incidence of significant orthostatic change in blood pressure was 0.2% (1/575).
In clinical trials and post-marketing experience, leukopenia and neutropenia have been reported temporally related to antipsychotic agents, including ABILIFY MAINTENA. Agranulocytosis has also been reported [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Possible risk factors for leukopenia/neutropenia include pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC)/absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and a history of drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia. In patients with a history of a clinically significant low WBC/ANC or drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia, perform a complete blood count (CBC) frequently during the first few months of therapy. In such patients, consider discontinuation of ABILIFY MAINTENA at the first sign of a clinically significant decline in WBC in the absence of other causative factors.
Monitor patients with clinically significant neutropenia for fever or other symptoms or signs of infection and treat promptly if such symptoms or signs occur. Discontinue ABILIFY MAINTENA in patients with severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 1000/mm³) and follow their WBC counts until recovery.
As with other antipsychotic drugs, use ABILIFY MAINTENA cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold. Conditions that lower the seizure threshold may be more prevalent in a population of 65 years or older.
ABILIFY MAINTENA, like other antipsychotics, may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Instruct patients to avoid operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that therapy with ABILIFY MAINTENA does not affect them adversely.
Disruption of the body's ability to reduce core body temperature has been attributed to antipsychotic agents. Appropriate care is advised when prescribing ABILIFY MAINTENA for patients who will be experiencing conditions which may contribute to an elevation in core body temperature, (e.g., exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, receiving concomitant medication with anticholinergic activity, or being subject to dehydration).
Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotic drug use, including ABILIFY MAINTENA. ABILIFY MAINTENA and other antipsychotic drugs should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia [see Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis].
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide)
Advise patients and their caregivers of the possibility that they may experience compulsive urges to shop, increased urges to gamble, compulsive sexual urges, binge eating and/or other compulsive urges and the inability to control these urges while taking aripiprazole. In some cases, but not all, the urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced or stopped [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Counsel patients about a potentially fatal adverse reaction referred to as NMS that has been reported in association with administration of antipsychotic drugs. Advise patients, family members, or caregivers to contact a health care provider or report to the emergency room if they experience signs and symptoms of NMS [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients that abnormal involuntary movements have been associated with the administration of antipsychotic drugs. Counsel patients to notify their health care provider if they notice any movements which they cannot control in their face, tongue, or other body part [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Educate patients about the risk of metabolic changes, how to recognize symptoms of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, and the need for specific monitoring, including blood glucose, lipids, and weight [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Educate patients about the risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope especially early in treatment, and also at times of re-initiating treatment or increases in dosage [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients with a pre-existing low WBC count or a history of drug-induced leucopenia/neutropenia that they should have their CBC monitored while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Because ABILIFY MAINTENA may have the potential to impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills, instruct patients to be cautious about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that ABILIFY MAINTENA therapy does not affect them adversely [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients regarding appropriate care in avoiding overheating and dehydration [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients to inform their health care providers of any changes to their current prescription or over-the-counter medications since there is a potential for clinically significant interactions [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Advise patients that ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms in a neonate and to notify their healthcare provider with a known or suspected pregnancy. Advise patients that there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to ABILIFY MAINTENA during pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lifetime carcinogenicity studies were conducted in ICR mice, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and F344 rats. Aripiprazole was administered for 2 years in the diet at doses of 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day to ICR mice and 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day to F344 rats (0.2 to 5 times and 0.3 to 3 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] based on mg/m² , respectively). In addition, SD rats were dosed orally for 2 years at 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg/day (3 to 19 times the MRHD based on mg/m² ). Aripiprazole did not induce tumors in male mice or male rats. In female mice, the incidences of pituitary gland adenomas and mammary gland adenocarcinomas and adenoacanthomas were increased at dietary doses of 3 to 30 mg/kg/day (0.1 to 0.9 times human exposure at MRHD based on AUC and 0.5 to 5 times the MRHD based on mg/m² ). In female rats, the incidence of mammary gland fibroadenomas was increased at a dietary dose of 10 mg/kg/day (0.1 times human exposure at MRHD based on AUC and 3 times the MRHD based on mg/m² ); and the incidences of adrenocortical carcinomas and combined adrenocortical adenomas/carcinomas were increased at an oral dose of 60 mg/kg/day (14 times human exposure at MRHD based on AUC and 19 times the MRHD based on mg/m² ).
Proliferative changes in the pituitary and mammary gland of rodents have been observed following chronic administration of other antipsychotic agents and are considered prolactin-mediated. Serum prolactin was not measured in the aripiprazole carcinogenicity studies. However, increases in serum prolactin levels were observed in female mice in a 13-week dietary study at the doses associated with mammary gland and pituitary tumors. Serum prolactin was not increased in female rats in 4-week and 13-week dietary studies at the dose associated with mammary gland tumors. The relevance for human risk of the findings of prolactin-mediated endocrine tumors in rodents is unknown.
The mutagenic potential of aripiprazole was tested in the in vitro bacterial reverse-mutation assay, the in vitro bacterial DNA repair assay, the in vitro forward gene mutation assay in mouse lymphoma cells, the in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, the in vivo micronucleus assay in mice, and the unscheduled DNA synthesis assay in rats. Aripiprazole and a metabolite (2,3-DCPP) were clastogenic in the in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in CHL cells with and without metabolic activation. The metabolite, 2,3-DCPP, produced increases in numerical aberrations in the in vitro assay in CHL cells in the absence of metabolic activation. A positive response was obtained in the in vivo micronucleus assay in mice; however, the response was due to a mechanism not considered relevant to humans.
Female rats were treated with oral doses of 2, 6, and 20 mg/kg/day (0.6, 2, and 6 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] on a mg/m²basis) of aripiprazole from 2 weeks prior to mating through day 7 of gestation. Estrus cycle irregularities and increased corpora lutea were seen at all doses, but no impairment of fertility was seen. Increased pre-implantation loss was seen at 6 and 20 mg/kg/day and decreased fetal weight was seen at 20 mg/kg/day.
Male rats were treated with oral doses of 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg/day (6, 13, and 19 times the MRHD on a mg/m²basis) of aripiprazole from 9 weeks prior to mating through mating.
Disturbances in spermatogenesis were seen at 60 mg/kg and prostate atrophy was seen at 40 and 60 mg/kg, but no impairment of fertility was seen.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to ABILIFY during pregnancy. For more information contact the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics at 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-andresearch-programs/pregnancyregistry/.
Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs, including ABILIFY MAINTENA, during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms. There are insufficient data with ABILIFY MAINTENA use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, oral and intravenous aripiprazole administration during organogenesis in rats and/or rabbits at doses 10 and 11 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) produced fetal death, decreased fetal weight, undescended testicles, delayed skeletal ossification, skeletal abnormalities, and diaphragmatic hernia. Oral and intravenous aripiprazole administration during the pre-and post-natal period in rats at doses 10 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) produced prolonged gestation, stillbirths, decreased pup weight, and decreased pup survival. Consider the benefits and risks of ABILIFY MAINTENA and possible risks to the fetus when prescribing ABILIFY MAINTENA to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of potential fetal risk.
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms, including agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress and feeding disorder have been reported in neonates who were exposed to antipsychotic drugs (including oral aripiprazole) during the third trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms have varied in severity. Some neonates recovered within hours or days without specific treatment; others required prolonged hospitalization. Monitor neonates exhibiting extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms and manage symptoms appropriately.
In animal studies, aripiprazole demonstrated developmental toxicity, including possible teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits.
Pregnant rats were treated with oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day which are approximately 1 to 10 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 30 mg/day on mg/m²basis of aripiprazole during the period of organogenesis. Treatment at the highest dose caused a slight prolongation of gestation and delay in fetal development, as evidenced by decreased fetal weight and undescended testes. Delayed skeletal ossification was observed at 3 and 10 times the oral MRHD on mg/m²basis.
At 3 and 10 times the oral MRHD on mg/m²basis, delivered offspring had decreased body weights. Increased incidences of hepatodiaphragmatic nodules and diaphragmatic hernia were observed in offspring from the highest dose group (the other dose groups were not examined for these findings). Postnatally, delayed vaginal opening was seen at 3 and 10 times the oral MRHD on mg/m²basis and impaired reproductive performance (decreased fertility rate, corpora lutea, implants, live fetuses, and increased post-implantation loss, likely mediated through effects on female offspring) along with some maternal toxicity were seen at the highest dose; however, there was no evidence to suggest that these developmental effects were secondary to maternal toxicity.
In pregnant rats treated with aripiprazole intravenously at doses of 3, 9, and 27 mg/kg/day, which are 1 to 9 times the oral MRHD on mg/m²basis, during the period of organogenesis, decreased fetal weight and delayed skeletal ossification were seen at the highest dose which also caused maternal toxicity.
In pregnant rabbits treated with oral doses of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg/day which are 2 to 11 times human exposure at the oral MRHD based on AUC and 6 to 65 times the oral MRHD of aripiprazole on mg/m²basis during the period of organogenesis, decreased maternal food consumption and increased abortions were seen at the highest dose as well as increased fetal mortality. Decreased fetal weight and increased incidence of fused sternebrae were observed at 3 and 11 times the MRHD based on AUC.
In pregnant rabbits receiving aripiprazole injection intravenously at doses of 3 , 10 , and 30 mg/kg/day, which are 2 to 19 times the oral MRHD on mg/m²basis during the period of organogenesis, the highest dose caused pronounced maternal toxicity that resulted in decreased fetal weight, increased fetal abnormalities (primarily skeletal), and decreased fetal skeletal ossification. The fetal no-effect dose was 5 times the human exposure at the oral MRHD based on AUC and is 6 times the oral MRHD on mg/m² basis.
In rats treated with oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day, which are 1 to 10 times the oral MRHD of aripiprazole on a mg/m² basis, peri-and post-natally (from day 17 of gestation through day 21 postpartum), slight maternal toxicity and slightly prolonged gestation were seen at the highest dose. An increase in stillbirths and decreases in pup weight (persisting into adulthood) and survival were also seen at this dose.
In rats treated with aripiprazole intravenously at doses of 3, 8, and 20 mg/kg/day which are 1 to 6 times the oral MRHD on mg/m²basis from day 6 of gestation through day 20 postpartum, increased stillbirths were seen at 3 and 6 times the MRHD on mg/m²basis, and decreases in early postnatal pup weight and survival were seen at the highest dose; these doses produced some maternal toxicity. There were no effects on postnatal behavioral and reproductive development.
Aripiprazole is present in human breast milk; however, there are insufficient data to assess the amount in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ABILIFY MAINTENA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ABILIFY MAINTENA or from the underlying maternal condition.
ABILIFY MAINTENA has not been studied in children 18 years of age or younger. However, juvenile animal studies have been conducted in rats and dogs.
Aripiprazole in juvenile rats caused mortality, CNS clinical signs, impaired memory and learning, and delayed sexual maturation when administered at oral doses of 10, 20, 40mg/kg/day from weaning (21 days old) through maturity (80 days old). At 40mg/kg/day, mortality, decreased activity, splayed hind limbs, hunched posture, ataxia, tremors and other CNS signs were observed in both genders. In addition, delayed sexual maturation was observed in males. At all doses and in a dose-dependent manner, impaired memory and learning, increased motor activity, and histopathology changes in the pituitary (atrophy), adrenals (adrenocortical hypertrophy), mammary glands (hyperplasia and increased secretion), and female reproductive organs (vaginal mucification, endometrial atrophy, decrease in ovarian corpora lutea) were observed. The changes in female reproductive organs were considered secondary to the increase in prolactin serum levels. A No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) could not be determined and, at the lowest tested dose of 10mg/kg/day, there is no safety margin relative to the systemic exposures (AUC0-24) for aripiprazole or its major active metabolite in adolescents at the maximum recommended pediatric dose of 15 mg/day. All drug-related effects were reversible after a 2-month recovery period, and most of the drug effects in juvenile rats were also observed in adult rats from previously conducted studies.
Aripiprazole in juvenile dogs (2 months old) caused CNS clinical signs of tremors, hypoactivity, ataxia, recumbency and limited use of hind limbs when administered orally for 6 months at 3, 10, 30 mg/kg/day. Mean body weight and weight gain were decreased up to 18% in females in all drug groups relative to control values. A NOAEL could not be determined and, at the lowest tested dose of 3mg/kg/day, there is no safety margin relative to the systemic exposures (AUC024) for aripiprazole or its major active metabolite in adolescents at the maximum recommended pediatric dose of 15 mg/day. All drug-related effects were reversible after a 2-month recovery period.
Clinical studies of oral aripiprazole did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience and pharmacokinetic data [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY] have not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
In single-dose and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic studies, there was no detectable age effect in the population pharmacokinetic analysis of oral aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. No dosage adjustments are recommended based on age alone. ABILIFY MAINTENA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see also BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Dosage adjustment is recommended in known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers due to high aripiprazole concentrations. Approximately 8% of Caucasians and 3-8% of Black/African Americans cannot metabolize CYP2D6 substrates and are classified as poor metabolizers (PM) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
No dosage adjustment for ABILIFY MAINTENA is required on the basis of a patient's hepatic function (mild to severe hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh score between 5 and 15), or renal function (mild to severe renal impairment, glomerular filtration rate between 15 and 90 mL/minute) [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
No dosage adjustment for ABILIFY MAINTENA is required on the basis of a patient's sex, race, or smoking status [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
The largest known case of acute ingestion with a known outcome involved 1260 mg of oral aripiprazole (42 times the maximum recommended daily dose) in a patient who fully recovered.
Common adverse reactions (reported in at least 5% of all overdose cases) reported with oral aripiprazole overdosage (alone or in combination with other substances) include vomiting, somnolence, and tremor. Other clinically important signs and symptoms observed in one or more patients with aripiprazole overdoses (alone or with other substances) include acidosis, aggression, aspartate aminotransferase increased, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, coma, confusional state, convulsion, blood creatine phosphokinase increased, depressed level of consciousness, hypertension, hypokalemia, hypotension, lethargy, loss of consciousness, QRS complex prolonged, QT prolonged, pneumonia aspiration, respiratory arrest, status epilepticus, and tachycardia.
In case of overdosage, call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
ABILIFY MAINTENA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to aripiprazole. Hypersensitivity reactions ranging from pruritus/urticaria to anaphylaxis have been reported in patients receiving aripiprazole [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia is unknown.
However, the efficacy of aripiprazole may be mediated through a combination of partial agonist activity at D2 and 5-HT1A receptors and antagonist activity at 5-HT2A receptors. Actions at receptors other than D2, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2A may explain some of the other adverse reactions of aripiprazole (e.g., the orthostatic hypotension observed with aripiprazole may be explained by its antagonist activity at adrenergic alpha1 receptors).
Aripiprazole exhibits high affinity for dopamine D2 and D3, serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors (Ki values of 0.34 nM, 0.8 nM, 1.7 nM, and 3.4 nM, respectively), moderate affinity for dopamine D4, serotonin 5-HT2C and 5-HT7, alpha1-adrenergic and histamine H1 receptors (Ki values of 44 nM, 15 nM, 39 nM, 57 nM, and 61 nM, respectively), and moderate affinity for the serotonin reuptake site (Ki=98 nM). Aripiprazole has no appreciable affinity for cholinergic muscarinic receptors (IC50 > 1000 nM). Aripiprazole functions as a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 and the serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, and as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptor.
There was no significant difference between oral aripiprazole co-administered with ethanol and placebo co-administered with ethanol on performance of gross motor skills or stimulus response in healthy subjects. As with most psychoactive medications, patients should be advised to avoid alcohol while taking ABILIFY MAINTENA.
ABILIFY MAINTENA activity is presumably primarily due to the parent drug, aripiprazole, and to a lesser extent, to its major metabolite, dehydro-aripiprazole, which has been shown to have affinities for D2 receptors similar to the parent drug and represents about 29% of the parent drug exposure in plasma.
Aripiprazole absorption into the systemic circulation is slow and prolonged following intramuscular injection due to low solubility of aripiprazole particles. Following a single dose administration of ABILIFY MAINTENA in the deltoid and gluteal muscle, the extent of absorption (AUCt, AUC∞) of aripiprazole was similar for both injection sites, but the rate of absorption (Cmax) was 31% higher following administration to the deltoid compared to the gluteal site. However, at steady state, AUC and Cmax were similar for both sites of injection. Following multiple intramuscular doses, the plasma concentrations of aripiprazole gradually rise to maximum plasma concentrations at a median Tmax of 5 -7 days for the gluteal muscle and 4 days for the deltoid muscle. After gluteal administration, the mean apparent aripiprazole terminal elimination half-life was 29.9 days and 46.5 days after multiple injections for every 4-week injection of ABILIFY MAINTENA 300 mg and 400 mg, respectively. Steady state concentrations for the typical subject were attained by the fourth dose for both sites of administration. Approximate dose-proportional increases in aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole exposure were observed after every four week ABILIFY MAINTENA injections of 300 mg and 400 mg.
Elimination of aripiprazole is mainly through hepatic metabolism involving two P450 isozymes, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. Aripiprazole is not a substrate of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP2E1 enzymes. Aripiprazole also does not undergo direct glucuronidation.
No specific drug interaction studies have been performed with ABILIFY MAINTENA. The information below is obtained from studies with oral aripiprazole.
Effects of other drugs on the exposures of aripiprazole and dehydro-aripiprazole are summarized in Figure 19 and Figure 20, respectively. Based on simulation, a 4.5-fold increase in mean Cmax and AUC values at steady-state is expected when extensive metabolizers of CYP2D6 are administered with both strong CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors. After oral administration, a 3fold increase in mean Cmax and AUC values at steady-state is expected in poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 administered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Figure 19: The effects of other drugs on aripiprazole
pharmacokinetics
 |
Figure 20: The effects of
other drugs on dehydro-aripiprazole pharmacokinetics
 |
The effects of ABILIFY on the exposures of other drugs are summarized in Figure 21. A population PK analysis in patients with major depressive disorder showed no substantial change in plasma concentrations of fluoxetine (20 mg/day or 40 mg/day), paroxetine CR (37.5 mg/day or 50 mg/day), or sertraline (100 mg/day or 150 mg/day) dosed to steady-state. The steady-state plasma concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine increased by about 18% and 36%, respectively, and concentrations of paroxetine decreased by about 27%. The steady-state plasma concentrations of sertraline and desmethylsertraline were not substantially changed when these antidepressant therapies were coadministered with aripiprazole.
Figure 21: The effects of oral aripiprazole on
pharmacokinetics of other drugs
 |
No specific pharmacokinetic studies have been performed with ABILIFY MAINTENA in specific populations. All the information is obtained from studies with oral aripiprazole.
Exposures of aripiprazole and dehydro-aripiprazole in specific populations are summarized in Figure 22 and Figure 23, respectively. In addition, in pediatric patients (10 to 17 years of age) administered with oral aripiprazole (20 mg to 30 mg), the body weight corrected aripiprazole clearance was similar to the adults.
Figure 22 : Effects of
intrinsic factors on aripiprazole pharmacokinetics
 |
Figure 23: Effects of
intrinsic factors on dehydro-aripiprazole pharmacokinetics:
 |
Aripiprazole produced retinal degeneration in albino rats in a 26-week chronic toxicity study at a dose of 60 mg/kg and in a 2-year carcinogenicity study at doses of 40 and 60 mg/kg. The 40 and 60 mg/kg/day doses are 13 and 19 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on mg/m²and 7 to 14 times human exposure at MRHD based on AUC. Evaluation of the retinas of albino mice and of monkeys did not reveal evidence of retinal degeneration. Additional studies to further evaluate the mechanism have not been performed. The relevance of this finding to human risk is unknown.
The toxicological profile for aripiprazole administered to experimental animals by intramuscular injection is generally similar to that seen following oral administration at comparable plasma levels of the drug. With intramuscular injection, however, injection-site tissue reactions are observed that consist of localized inflammation, swelling, scabbing and foreign-body reactions to deposited drug. These effects gradually resolved with discontinuation of dosing.
After 26 weeks of treatment in rats, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 50 mg/kg in male rats and 100 mg/kg in female rats, which are approximately 1 and 2 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human 400 mg dose of aripiprazole extended-release injectable suspension on a mg/m²body surface area. At the NOAEL in rats, the AUC7d values were 14.4 μg•h/mL in males and 104.1 μg•h/mL in females. In dogs at 52 weeks of treatment at the NOAEL of 40 mg/kg, which is approximately 3 times the MRHD (400 mg) on a mg/m²body surface area, the AUC7d values were approximately 59 μg•h/mL in males and 44 μg•h/mL in females. In patients at the MRHD of 400 mg, the AUCτ (0-28 days) was 163 μg•h/mL. For comparison to this human AUC, extrapolating the animal AUC7d values to an AUC28d results in AUC28d values of approximately 58 and 416 μg•h/mL for male and female rats, respectively, and 236 and 175 μg•h/mL for male and female dogs, respectively.
The efficacy of ABILIFY MAINTENA for treatment of schizophrenia was established in:
In the short-term (12-week), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in acutely relapsed adults (Study 1), the primary measure used for assessing psychiatric signs and symptoms was the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The PANSS is a 30 item scale that measures positive symptoms of schizophrenia (7 items), negative symptoms of schizophrenia (7 items), and general psychopathology (16 items), each rated on a scale of 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme); total PANSS scores range from 30 to 210. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in PANSS total score to week 10.
The inclusion criteria for this short-term trial included adult inpatients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia. In addition, all patients entering the trial must have experienced an acute psychotic episode as defined by both PANSS Total Score ≥ 80 and a PANSS score of > 4 on each of four specific psychotic symptoms (conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, suspiciousness/persecution, unusual thought content) at screening and baseline. The key secondary endpoint was the change from baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGIS) assessment scale to week 10. The CGI-S rates the severity of mental illness on a scale of 1 (normal) to 7 (among the most extremely ill) based on the total clinical experience of the rater in treating patients with schizophrenia. Patients had a mean PANSS total score of 103 (range 82 to 144) and a CGI-S score of 5.2 (markedly ill) at entry.
In this 12-week study (n=339) comparing ABILIFY MAINTENA (n=167) to placebo (n=172), patients were administered 400 mg ABILIFY MAINTENA or placebo on days 0, 28, and 56. The dose could be adjusted down and up within the range of 400 to 300 mg on a one time basis. ABILIFY MAINTENA was superior to placebo in improving the PANSS total score at the end of week 10 (see Table 9).
Table 9: Schizophrenia Short-term Study
| Study Number | Treatment Group | Primary Efficacy Measure: PANSS Total Score | ||
| Mean Baseline Score (SD) | LS Mean Change from Baseline (SE) | Placebo-subtracted Differencea(95% CI) | ||
| Study 1 | ABILIFY MAINTENA | 102.4 (11.4) | -26.8 (1.6) | -15.1 (-19.4, -10.8) |
| (400 to 300 mg) Placebo | 103.4 (11.1) | -11.7 (1.6) | __ | |
| SD: standard deviation; SE: standard error; LS Mean:
least-squares mean; CI: unadjusted confidence interval. a Difference (drug minus placebo) in least-squares mean change from baseline. |
||||
The change in PANSS total score by week is shown in Figure 24. ABILIFY MAINTENA also showed improvement in symptoms represented by CGI-S score mean change from baseline to week 10. The results of exploratory subgroup analyses by gender, race, age, ethnicity, and BMI were similar to the results of the overall population.
Figure 24: Weekly PANSS Total Score-Change in the
12-Week, Placebo-Controlled Study with ABILIFY MAINTENA
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The efficacy of ABILIFY MAINTENA in maintaining symptomatic control in schizophrenia was established in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal trial in adult patients (Study 2) who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia and who were being treated with at least one antipsychotic medication. Patients had at least a 3-year history of illness and a history of relapse or symptom exacerbation when not receiving antipsychotic treatment.
In addition to the PANSS and CGI-S, clinical ratings during this trial included the:
This trial included:
The primary efficacy endpoint was time from randomization to relapse. Relapse was defined as the first occurrence of one or more of the following criteria:
A pre-planned interim analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly longer time to relapse in patients randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group compared to placebo-treated patients and the trial was subsequently terminated early because maintenance of efficacy was demonstrated. The final analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly longer time to relapse in patients randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group than compared to placebo-treated patients. The Kaplan-Meier curves of the cumulative proportion of patients with relapse during the double-blind treatment phase for ABILIFY MAINTENA and placebo groups are shown in Figure 25.
Figure 25: Kaplan-Meier Estimation of Cumulative
Proportion of Patients with Relapse1
 |
1This figure is based on a total of 80 relapse events
The key secondary efficacy endpoint, percentage of subjects meeting the relapse criteria, was statistically significantly lower in patients randomized to the ABILIFY MAINTENA group (10%) than in the placebo group (40%).
ABILIFY MAINTENA®
(a-BIL-i-fy main-TEN-a)
(aripiprazole) for extended-release injectable
suspension, for intramuscular use
What is the most important information I should know about ABILIFY MAINTENA?
Each injection of ABILIFY MAINTENA must be administered by a healthcare professional only.
ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause serious side effects, including:
Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any of these symptoms.
What is ABILIFY MAINTENA?
ABILIFY MAINTENA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia.
It is not known if ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Do not receive ABILIFY MAINTENA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY MAINTENA. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Before receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
ABILIFY MAINTENA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. ABILIFY MAINTENA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how ABILIFY MAINTENA works.
Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take ABILIFY MAINTENA with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking ABILIFY MAINTENA without talking to your healthcare provider first. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I receive ABILIFY MAINTENA?
What should I avoid while taking ABILIFY MAINTENA?
What are the possible side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA?
ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause serious side effects, including:
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar while receiving ABILIFY MAINTENA:
The most common side effect of ABILIFY MAINTENA includes feeling like you need to move to stop unpleasant feelings in your legs (restless leg syndrome or akathisia), injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General information about the safe and effective use of ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use ABILIFY MAINTENA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ABILIFY MAINTENA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about ABILIFY MAINTENA that is written for healthcare professionals.
What are the ingredients in ABILIFY MAINTENA?
Active ingredient: aripiprazole monohydrate
Inactive ingredients: carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, mannitol, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and sodium hydroxide
