Aripiprazole: efficacy and tolerability profile of a novel-acting atypical antipsychotic

Aripiprazole, the latest atypical antipsychotic to come to clinical practice, has a proposed mechanism of action different to other agents, most notably in its partial agonist action at dopamine (D2) receptors and at serotonin (5HT1A) receptors. Placebo-controlled comparative trials of aripiprazole confirm efficacy for positive, negative and general psychopathology. Treatment-emergent adverse effects appear low. Aripiprazole is associated with low propensity for extrapyramidal side effects, an absence hyperprolactinemia and a low propensity for weight gain. Aripiprazole's clinical role will be determined by clinical experience, additional phase IV studies, and comparative information for this agent with respect to the efficacy and tolerability profiles of other atypical antipsychotic medications.