[Aripiprazole long-acting for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.]

Antipsychotics are the cornerstone for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia patients. Their long-acting formulations are helpful for preventing relapses through improvement of adherence to medication and a better pharmacokinetic coverage. However, their use is often reserved for refractory or non-observant clinical forms because of limitations among both clinicians and patients. The development of a new formulation of long-acting injectable aripiprazole administered every 4 weeks is a new option. Two randomized controlled trials vs. placebo and vs. oral aripiprazole respectively show a superiority and non-inferiority in terms of relapse prevention. Meanwhile, a mirror-image study demonstrates fewer hospitalizations. The safety profile is comparable to the oral formulation, particularly in terms of metabolic and neurological side-effects. As mentioned in various professional recommendations, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, so long-acting injectable aripiprazole, are one of the major strategies of the maintenance treatment for patients with schizophrenia.