Aripiprazole: Examining the Clinical Implications of D2 Affinity

Aripiprazole has high binding affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor, which is thought to be responsible for the antipsychotic effect, though aripiprazole is not the most potent of the second-generation antipsychotics. Theoretically, aripiprazole could displace or outcompete more potent antipsychotics, prompting decreased antipsychotic effect. We describe a case of aripiprazole potentially worsening psychiatric symptoms by blocking paliperidone.

Ms. A is a 43-year-old woman with schizophrenia, multiple inpatient hospitalizations, and a history of court-ordered treatment. She historically has had good response to oral and long-acting formulations of risperidone and paliperidone. Ms. A requested a medication change and was transitioned to aripiprazole lauroxil injection with plan for bimonthly administration. Approximately 1 month after receiving her aripiprazole lauroxil injection, Ms. A presented to our CPEP due to symptoms of psychosis and was admitted to our inpatient unit. She was restarted on oral paliperidone, titrated up to her previously effective dose, and was transitioned to paliperidone palmitate LAI. In contrast to prior admissions, she did not respond well to paliperidone and displayed continued and worsened psychosis.

Prior studies have examined how adding aripiprazole to another, more potent D2 antagonist can cause a relapse in psychotic symptoms; however, few studies have investigated the inverse relationship or mechanism. Those that have proposed mechanisms typically refer to aripiprazole's partial agonist activity as the causative factor, rather than an impediment to antipsychotic binding which we have described. Prescribers should be aware of this potential interaction and carefully consider initiating long-acting injectable forms of aripiprazole to avoid this phenomenon.

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