Related Experiment Videos
Aripiprazole possibly worsens psychosis
Sriram Ramaswamy1, Dewan Vijay, Marcil William
1Creighton University/University of Nebraska Psychiatry Residency Program, 3528 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68131, USA. sriramrr@rocketmail.com
International Clinical Psychopharmacology
|April 23, 2004
Summary
Aripiprazole, a dopamine D2 partial agonist, may paradoxically worsen psychosis in some patients. Four cases showed psychosis exacerbation after starting aripiprazole, with two improving after discontinuation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic medication.
- It acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors.
- This mechanism theoretically carries a risk of worsening psychosis.
Observation:
- Four distinct clinical cases are presented.
- Psychosis exacerbation occurred following aripiprazole initiation.
- This was observed both when tapering off other antipsychotics and when adding aripiprazole.
- Doses ranged from 15-30 mg daily.
Findings:
- Two cases showed improvement in psychotic symptoms after discontinuing aripiprazole.
- The presented cases suggest a potential association between aripiprazole therapy and psychosis worsening.
- Aripiprazole's partial D2 agonism may contribute to this effect in susceptible individuals.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be vigilant for potential psychosis exacerbation when initiating aripiprazole.
- Further research is warranted to confirm and understand this adverse effect.
- This highlights the complex relationship between dopamine receptor modulation and psychotic symptomology.