Tolerability of oral ziprasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder

Comparative Efficacy and Tolerability of Antipsychotics for Juvenile Psychotic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Psychotic disorders produce important morbidity and disability in children and adolescents. There have been few relevant treatment trials, encouraging assessment of research aimed at testing efficacy and safety of antipsychotics for juveniles. We aimed to compare the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of antipsychotics to treat psychotic disorders among children and adolescents.

METHODS

Four major bibliographic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) were searched for clinical trials of antipsychotics in children or adolescents, from database inception to May 2021. We searched for clinical trials comparing antipsychotics with control conditions for juvenile psychosis based on blinded review by 2 independent investigators (C.S.Y. and M.L.). We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and applied the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to appraise study quality. One reviewer (A.B.) performed data abstraction which was confirmed by 2 independent, blinded reviewers (C.S.Y. and M.L.). Primary outcomes were scores rating psychosis symptoms and dichotomized retention in treatment protocols versus dropouts because of adverse events. Effect sizes were pooled using frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis modeling to generate summary rate ratios (RRs) and Cohen d standardized mean differences.

RESULTS

Systematic searching generated 1330 unique records. Of these, short-term (n = 15, for 6 [3-12] weeks) and long-term (n = 10, for 12 [6-60] months) treatment trials involved 2208 (39.2% females; median age, 15.3 years), and 1366 subjects (35.0% females; median age, 15.6 years), respectively. Short-term reduction of psychosis scores ranked clozapine (d = -1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.97 to -0.73]), molindone (-1.22; 95% CI, -1.68 to -0.75), olanzapine (-1.12; 95% CI, -1.44 to -0.81), and risperidone (-0.93; 95% CI, -1.22 to -0.63) as the most effective agents. In longer-term treatment, only lurasidone was effective. Clozapine (RR, 12.8) and haloperidol (RR, 5.15) led to more all-cause and adverse event-related dropouts. There were few trials/drug (1 each for aripiprazole, asenapine, lurasidone, molindone, paliperidone, and ziprasidone, short term; aripiprazole, clozapine, haloperidol, lurasidone, and molindone, long-term). Heterogeneity and inconsistency were high, especially in long-term trials, without evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Some antipsychotics were effective and tolerated short term, but longer-term evidence was very limited. The overall paucity of trials and of adequate controls indicates that more well-designed randomized controlled trials are required for adequate assessment of antipsychotic drug treatment for juveniles.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021232937.

Harms of Antipsychotics in Children and Young Adults: A Systematic Review Update

OBJECTIVE

To update and extend our previous systematic review on first- (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for treatment of psychiatric and behavioral conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults (aged ≤24 years). This article focuses on the evidence for harms.

METHOD

We searched (to April 2016) 8 databases, gray literature, trial registries, Food and Drug Administration reports, and reference lists. Two reviewers conducted study screening and selection independently, with consensus for selection. One reviewer extracted and another verified all data; 2 reviewers independently assessed risk of bias. We conducted meta-analyses when appropriate and network meta-analysis across conditions for changes in body composition. Two reviewers reached consensus for ratings on the strength of evidence for prespecified outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 135 studies (95 trials and 40 observational) were included, and 126 reported on harms. FGAs caused slightly less weight gain and more extrapyramidal symptoms than SGAs. SGAs as a class caused adverse effects, including weight gain, high triglyceride levels, extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation, and somnolence. They appeared to increase the risk for high cholesterol levels and type 2 diabetes. Many outcomes for individual drug comparisons were of low or insufficient strength of evidence. Olanzapine caused more short-term gains in weight and body mass index than several other SGAs. The dose of SGAs may not make a difference over the short term for some outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians need to weigh carefully the benefit-to-harm ratio when using antipsychotics, especially when treatment alternatives exist. More evidence is needed on the comparative harms between antipsychotics over the longer term.

Update on the Pharmacological Treatment of Tics with Dopamine-Modulating Agents

More than 40 years of research and clinical practice have proven the effectiveness of dopamine receptor antagonists in the pharmacological treatment of tics. A blockade of the striatal dopamine-D2 receptors is mainly responsible for their tic-reducing effect. A broad spectrum of dopamine-modulating agents, such as typical and atypical antipsychotics, but also dopamine receptor agonists are used with an immanent discord between experts about which of them should be considered as first choice. The present Review outlines the state of the art on pharmacological treatment of tics with dopamine-modulating agents by giving an systematic overview of studies on their effectiveness and a critical discussion of their specific adverse effects. It is considered as an update of a previous review of our research group published in 2013. The Review closes with a description of the current resulting treatment recommendations including the results of a first published revised survey on European expert's prescription preferences. Based on the enormously growing evidence on its effectiveness and safety, aripiprazole currently seems to be the most promising agent in the pharmacological treatment of tics. Furthermore, benzamides (especially tiapride), which are commonly used in Europe, have proven their excellent effectiveness-tolerability profile over decades in clinical practice and are therefore also highly recommended for the treatment of tics. Nevertheless, pharmacological treatment of tics remains an indiviual choice depending on each patient's own specific needs.

Effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on QT interval in patients with mental disorders

Background

Drug-induced QT prolongation is associated with higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular mortality. We investigated the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on QT interval in children and adults with mental disorders.

Methods

We conducted random-effects direct frequentist meta-analyses of aggregate data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and appraised the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Our search in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and PharmaPendium up to October 2017 identified studies that examined aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone, olanzapine, ziprasidone and brexpiprazole.

Results

Low quality evidence suggests that aripiprazole (four meta-analyses and twelve RCTs), brexpiprazole (one systematic review and four RCTs) or olanzapine (five meta-analyses and twenty RCTs) do not increase QT interval. Low quality evidence suggests that ziprasidone (five meta-analyses and 11 RCTs) increases QT interval and the rates of QT prolongation while risperidone (four meta-analyses, 70 RCTs) and quetiapine (two meta-analyses and seven RCTs) are associated with QT prolongation and greater odds of torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia especially in cases of drug overdose.

Conclusions

The main conclusion of our study is that in people with mental disorders and under treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs, in order to avoid QT prolongation and reduce the risk of ventricular tachycardia clinicians may recommend aripiprazole, brexpiprazole or olanzapine in licensed doses. Long-term comparative safety needs to be established.

Psychopharmacology of Bipolar Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Bipolar disorder is a debilitating illness that often leads to functional impairment when untreated. Monotherapy with mood stabilizers is preferable, although combination therapy may be necessary in refractory cases. Most studies focus on the use of lithium, anticonvulsants, and second-generation antipsychotics in the treatment of acute manic or depressive phases, as well as maintaining adequate response after the episode. More research is needed in the area of psychopharmacology of pediatric bipolar disorder to bridge the gap between clinical needs and the available data.

Neuromotor Adverse Effects in 342 Youth During 12 Weeks of Naturalistic Treatment With 5 Second-Generation Antipsychotics

OBJECTIVE

Second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) effects in youth were monitored to quantify extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) and to identify risk profiles for treatment-emergent EPS.

METHOD

Data were analyzed for the nonrandomized, prospective Second-generation Antipsychotic Treatment Indications, Effectiveness and Tolerability in Youth (SATIETY) inception cohort study. EPS were assessed at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after naturalistic SGA initiation for schizophrenia, mood, disruptive behavior, and autism spectrum disorders using the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS), Barnes Akathisia Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), and Treatment Emergent Side Effect Scale. Drug-induced parkinsonism was defined by incident mean SAS score >0.33, anticholinergic initiation, or increasing total SAS score ≥2 in patients with baseline EPS.

RESULTS

In 342 youth aged 13.6 ± 3.5 years (male = 58.2%, antipsychotic-naive = 65.8%), 15.2% developed drug-induced parkinsonism. Raw SGA-grouped drug-induced parkinsonism rates were as follows: quetiapine = 1.5%, olanzapine = 13.8%, risperidone = 16.1%, ziprasidone = 20.0%, and aripiprazole = 27.3%. SGA type, dose, higher age, and lower baseline functioning were jointly associated with drug-induced parkinsonism (R(2) = 0.18; p < .0001). Controlling for these factors, drug-induced parkinsonism rates were significantly lower only for quetiapine and olanzapine. Subjectively reported EPS (5%), EPS-related treatment discontinuation (3.3%), and anticholinergic initiation (3%) were infrequent. Anticholinergic initiation was most frequent with risperidone (10.2%; p = .0004). Treatment-emergent dyskinesia ranged from 4.5% (aripiprazole) to 15.5% (olanzapine). SGA type, younger age, white race/ethnicity, and baseline AIMS were jointly associated with treatment-emergent dyskinesia (R(2) = 0.31; p < .0001). Controlling for these factors, treatment-emergent dyskinesia rates differed among SGA subgroups, with higher rates with olanzapine and ziprasidone. At baseline, psychostimulant use was associated with dyskinesia, and number of psychotropic comedications was associated with subjective EPS.

CONCLUSION

In youth, SGA-related EPS rates did not generally exceed those reported in adults, with particularly low rates with quetiapine and olanzapine.

Corrected QT changes during antipsychotic treatment of children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of antipsychotics on the corrected QT (QTc) interval in youth.

METHOD

We searched PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) for randomized or open clinical trials of antipsychotics in youth <18 years with QTc data, meta-analyzing the results. Meta-regression analyses evaluated the effect of age, sex, dose, and study duration on QTc. Incidences of study-defined QTc prolongation (>440-470 milliseconds), QTc >500 milliseconds, and QTc change >60 milliseconds were also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 55 studies were meta-analyzed, evaluating 108 treatment arms covering 9 antipsychotics and including 5,423 patients with QTc data (mean age = 12.8 ± 3.6 years, female = 32.1%). Treatments included aripiprazole: studies = 14; n = 814; haloperidol: studies = 1; n = 15; molindone: studies = 3; n = 125; olanzapine: studies = 5; n = 212; paliperidone: studies = 3; n = 177; pimozide: studies = 1; n = 25; quetiapine: studies = 5; n = 336; risperidone: studies = 23; n = 2,234; ziprasidone: studies = 10, n = 523; and placebo: studies = 19, n = 962. Within group, from baseline to endpoint, aripiprazole significantly decreased the QTc interval (-1.44 milliseconds, CI = -2.63 to -0.26, p = .017), whereas risperidone (+1.68, CI = +0.67 to +2.70, p = .001) and especially ziprasidone (+8.74, CI = +5.19 to +12.30, p < .001) significantly increased QTc. Compared to pooled placebo arms, aripiprazole decreased QTc (p = .007), whereas ziprasidone increased QTc (p < .001). Compared to placebo, none of the investigated antipsychotics caused a significant increase in the incidence of the 3 studied QTc prolongation measures, but there was significant reporting bias.

CONCLUSION

Based on these data, the risk of pathological QTc prolongation seems low during treatment with the 9 studied antipsychotics in otherwise healthy youth. Nevertheless, because individual risk factors interact with medication-related QTc effects, both medication and patient factors need to be considered when choosing antipsychotic treatment.

QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes associated with second-generation antipsychotics and antidepressants: a comprehensive review

We comprehensively reviewed published literature to determine whether it supported the link between corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation and torsade de pointes (TdP) for the 11 second-generation antipsychotics and seven second-generation antidepressants commonly implicated in these complications. Using PubMed and EMBASE, we identified four thorough QT studies (one each for iloperidone, ziprasidone, citalopram, and escitalopram), 40 studies specifically designed to assess QTc interval prolongation or TdP, 58 publications based on data from efficacy and safety trials, 18 toxicology studies, and 102 case reports. Thorough QT studies, QTc prolongation-specific studies, and studies based on efficacy and safety trials did not link drug-associated QTc interval prolongation with TdP. They only showed that the drugs reviewed caused varying degrees of QTc interval prolongation, and even that information was not clear and consistent enough to stratify individual drugs for this risk. The few toxicology studies provided valuable information but their findings are pertinent only to situations of drug overdose. Case reports were most informative about the drug-QTc interval prolongation-TdP link. At least one additional well established risk factor for QTc prolongation was present in 92.2 % of case reports. Of the 28 cases of TdP, six (21.4 %) experienced it with QTc interval <500 ms; 75 % of TdP cases occurred at therapeutic doses. There is little evidence that drug-associated QTc interval prolongation by itself is sufficient to predict TdP. Future research needs to improve its precision and broaden its scope to better understand the factors that facilitate or attenuate progression of drug-associated QTc interval prolongation to TdP.

Practitioner review: Long-term pharmacological treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Although long-term treatment is a core aspect of the management of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD), most clinical recommendations are based on results from short-term studies or adult data. In order to guide clinical practice, we review the efficacy and safety profile of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and other pharmacological strategies for the long-term treatment of BD in pediatric patients.

METHODS

A MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and PsycInfo search (inception through November 2013) was performed to identify prospective studies longer than 12 weeks assessing the use of pharmacological strategies for the long-term treatment of BD in pediatric patients (0-18 years of age).

RESULTS

Four randomized controlled trials (RCT) [three placebo-controlled (assessing aripiprazole (2) and flax oil), and one head-to-head comparison of lithium vs. divalproex], and thirteen noncontrolled studies (six open-label studies assessing lithium or anticonvulsants, five assessing second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and four assessing combination strategies) were included in the review. Aripiprazole has shown efficacy for relapse prevention in children with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) 4-9 years of age in one placebo-controlled RCT. Positive results have been reported in noncontrolled studies with quetiapine and lithium for relapse prevention, as well as with lithium, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and the combination of risperidone and divalproex or lithium for long-term symptom reduction in PBD. The most frequently reported adverse events in children and adolescents treated with lithium and anticonvulsants are gastrointestinal and neurological, whereas use of SGAs is mainly related to weight gain and sedation.

CONCLUSION

According to the limited empirical evidence, aripiprazole can be useful for relapse prevention in children with PBD. Given the lack of consistent efficacy data, clinical decision making should be based on individual clinical aspects and safety concerns.

Antipsychotics use in children and adolescents: An on-going challenge in clinical practice

Antipsychotic medications (APs) are a well-established pharmacological treatment in adults with serious mental health problems. However, many adult mental health disorders have their origins and onset in childhood or adolescence. The understanding that neuropsychiatric conditions of childhood are in part biologically determined, led to an increase in the number of clinical trials supporting evidence on the efficacy of antipsychotic agents as first-line treatment for childhood psychotic disorders and therapeutic augmentation of nonpsychotic conditions. In recent years the use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents for neurodevelopmental, behavioural and psychiatric disorders has significantly increased while the age of prescription has decreased. These trends have not been matched by advances in the understanding of APs' safety profile in this group of patients. It is therefore crucial that current and future practice is informed by up-to-date synthesis of the evidence and clinical guidelines about the use and monitoring of these treatments in paediatric populations, since the effectiveness of early therapeutic interventions in children can affect positively the long-term outcome.

Atypical antipsychotics for psychosis in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia often presents in adolescence, but current treatment guidelines are based largely on studies of adults with psychosis. Over the past decade, the number of studies on treatment of adolescent-onset psychosis has increased. The current systematic review collates and critiques evidence obtained on the use of various atypical antipsychotic medications for adolescents with psychosis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of atypical antipsychotic medications in adolescents with psychosis. We reviewed in separate analyses various comparisons of atypical antipsychotic medications with placebo or a typical antipsychotic medication or another atypical antipsychotic medication or the same atypical antipsychotic medication but at a lower dose.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Register (October 2011), which is based on regular searches of BIOSIS, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. We inspected references of all identified studies and contacted study authors and relevant pharmaceutical companies to ask for more information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared atypical antipsychotic medication with placebo or another pharmacological intervention or with psychosocial interventions, standard psychiatric treatment or no intervention in children and young people aged 13 to 18 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, acute and transient psychoses or unspecified psychosis. We included studies published in English and in other languages that were available in standardised databases.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors AK and SSD selected the studies, rated the quality of the studies and performed data extraction. For dichotomous data, we estimated risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a fixed-effect model. When possible, for binary data presented in the 'Summary of findings' table, we calculated illustrative comparative risks. We summated continuous data using the mean difference (MD). Risk of bias was assessed for included studies.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 13 RCTs, with a total of 1112 participants. We found no data on service utilisation, economic outcomes, behaviour or cognitive response. Trials were classified into the following groups. 1. Atypical antipsychotics versus placebo: Only two studies compared one atypical antipsychotic medication with placebo. In one study, the number of non-responders treated with olanzapine was not different from the number treated with placebo (1 RCT, n = 107, RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.10); however, significantly more (57% vs 32%) people left the study early (1 RCT, n = 107, RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.87) from the placebo group compared with the olanzapine group. With regard to adverse effects, young people treated with aripiprazole had significantly lower serum cholesterol compared with those given placebo (1 RCT, n = 302, RR 3.77, 95% CI 1.88 to 7.58). 2. Atypical antipsychotics versus typical antipsychotics: When the findings of all five trials comparing atypical antipsychotic medications with a typical antipsychotic medication were collated, no difference in the mean end point Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score was noted between the two arms (5 RCTs, n = 236, MD -1.08, 95% CI -3.08 to 0.93). With regard to adverse effects, the mean end point serum prolactin concentration was much higher than the reference range for treatment with risperidone, olanzapine and molindone in one of the studies. However, fewer adolescents who were receiving atypical antipsychotic medications left the study because of adverse effects (3 RCTs, n = 187, RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.15) or for any reason (3 RCTs, n = 187, RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.97).3. One atypical antipsychotic versus another atypical antipsychotic: The mean end point BPRS score was not significantly different for people who received risperidone compared with those who received olanzapine; however, the above data were highly skewed. Overall no difference was noted in the number of people leaving the studies early because of any adverse effects between each study arm in the three studies comparing olanzapine and risperidone (3 RCTs, n = 130, RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.44 to 3.04). Specific adverse events were not reported uniformly across the six different studies included in this section of the review; therefore it was difficult to do a head-to-head comparison of adverse events for different atypical antipsychotic medications.4. Lower-dose atypical antipsychotic versus standard/higher-dose atypical antipsychotic: Three studies reported comparisons of lower doses of the atypical antipsychotic medication with standard/higher doses of the same medication. One study reported better symptom reduction with a standard dose of risperidone as compared with a low dose (1 RCT, n = 257, RR -8.00, 95% CI -13.75 to -2.25). In another study, no difference was reported in the number of participants not achieving remission between the group receiving 10 mg/d and those who received 30 mg/d of aripiprazole (1 RCT, n = 196, RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.48). Similarly in the other study, authors reported no statistically significant difference in clinical response between the two groups receiving lower-dose (80 mg/d) and higher-dose (160 mg/d) ziprasidone, as reflected by the mean end point BPRS score (1 RCT, n = 17, MD -4.40, 95% CI -19.20 to 10.40).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No convincing evidence suggests that atypical antipsychotic medications are superior to typical medications for the treatment of adolescents with psychosis. However, atypical antipsychotic medications may be more acceptable to young people because fewer symptomatic adverse effects are seen in the short term. Little evidence is available to support the superiority of one atypical antipsychotic medication over another, but side effect profiles are different for different medications. Treatment with olanzapine, risperidone and clozapine is often associated with weight gain. Aripiprazole is not associated with increased prolactin or with dyslipidaemia. Adolescents may respond better to standard-dose as opposed to lower-dose risperidone, but for aripiprazole and ziprasidone, lower doses may be equally effective. Future trials should ensure uniform ways of reporting.

Ziprasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia: results from a placebo-controlled efficacy and long-term open-extension study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ziprasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Subjects ages 13-17 years with schizophrenia (American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. [DSM-IV]) were enrolled in a 6 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial (RCT) followed by a 26 week open-label extension study (OLE). Subjects were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to flexible-dose oral ziprasidone (40-160 mg/day, based on weight) or placebo. Primary end-point was change from baseline in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored (BPRS-A) total score. Safety assessments included adverse events, vital signs, laboratory measures, electrocardiograms, weight and body mass index, and movement disorder ratings.

RESULTS

Planned interim analysis for the primary end-point in the RCT resulted in early termination of both studies because of futility. In the RCT, 283 subjects received ziprasidone (n=193) or placebo (n=90). In the intent-to-treat analysis population, the least squares mean (SE) BPRS-A score decrease from baseline at week 6 was not significantly different (p=0.15; -14.16 [0.78] for ziprasidone and -12.35 [1.05] for placebo). Per-protocol analysis was significant (p=0.02). In the OLE, 221 subjects entered the OLE and received ziprasidone for a median of 99 days. The mean (SD) change in BPRS-A score from end of RCT to end of OLE (last observation carried forward) was -6.9 (8.9). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (≥ 10%) for all causalities during the RCT were somnolence and extrapyramidal disorders, and during OLE was somnolence only. No subjects had Fridericia's corrected QT (QTcF) ≥ 500 ms in the RCT or OLE phases. One completed suicide occurred during the OLE phase. For RCT and OLE, no clinically significant changes were reported in metabolic indices and laboratory measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Ziprasidone failed to separate from placebo in treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents. Ziprasidone was generally well tolerated with an overall neutral weight and metabolic profile.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY

NCT00257192 and NCT00265382 at ClinicalTrials.gov .

Efficacy, long-term safety, and tolerability of ziprasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of ziprasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder.

METHODS

Subjects 10-17 years of age with a manic or mixed episode associated with bipolar I disorder participated in a 4 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial (RCT) followed by a 26 week open-label extension study (OLE). Subjects were randomized 2:1 to initially receive flexible-dose ziprasidone (40-160 mg/day, based on weight) or placebo. Primary outcome was the change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores from baseline. Safety assessments included weight and body mass index (BMI), adverse events (AEs), vital signs, laboratory measures, electrocardiograms, and movement disorder ratings.

RESULTS

In the RCT, 237 subjects were treated with ziprasidone (n=149; mean age, 13.6 years) or placebo (n=88; mean age, 13.7 years). The estimated least squares mean changes in YMRS total (intent-to-treat population) were -13.83 (ziprasidone) and -8.61 (placebo; p=0.0005) at RCT endpoint. The most common AEs in the ziprasidone group were sedation (32.9%), somnolence (24.8%), headache (22.1%), fatigue (15.4%), and nausea (14.1%). In the OLE, 162 subjects were enrolled, and the median duration of treatment was 98 days. The mean change in YMRS score from the end of the RCT to the end of the OLE (last observation carried forward) was -3.3 (95% confidence interval, -5.0 to -1.6). The most common AEs were sedation (26.5%), somnolence (23.5%), headache (22.2%), and insomnia (13.6%). For both the RCT and the OLE, no clinically significant mean changes in movement disorder scales, BMI z-scores, liver enzymes, or fasting lipids and glucose were observed. One subject on ziprasidone in the RCT and none during the OLE had Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) ≥ 460 ms.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that ziprasidone is efficacious for treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. Ziprasidone was generally well tolerated with a neutral metabolic profile.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY

NCT00257166 and NCT00265330 at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Weight gain and increase of body mass index among children and adolescents treated with antipsychotics: a critical review

We performed an updated review of the available literature on weight gain and increase of body mass index (BMI) among children and adolescents treated with antipsychotic medications. A PubMed search was conducted specifying the following MeSH terms: (antipsychotic agents) hedged with (weight gain) or (body mass index). We selected 127 reports, including 71 intervention trials, 42 observational studies and 14 literature reviews. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), in comparison with first-generation antipsychotics, are associated with a greater risk for antipsychotic-induced weight gain although this oversimplification should be clarified by distinguishing across different antipsychotic drugs. Among SGAs, olanzapine appears to cause the most significant weight gain, while ziprasidone seems to cause the least. Antipsychotic-induced BMI increase appears to remain regardless of the specific psychotropic co-treatment. Children and adolescents seem to be at a greater risk than adults for antipsychotic-induced weight gain; and the younger the child, the higher the risk. Genetic or environmental factors related to antipsychotic-induced weight gain among children and adolescents are mostly unknown, although certain genetic factors related to serotonin receptors or hormones such as leptin, adiponectin or melanocortin may be involved. Strategies to reduce this antipsychotic side effect include switching to another antipsychotic drug, lowering the dosage or initiating treatment with metformin or topiramate, as well as non-pharmacological interventions. Future research should avoid some methodological limitations such as not accounting for age- and sex-adjusted BMI (zBMI), small sample size, short period of treatment, great heterogeneity of diagnoses and confounding by indication.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents

Pediatric behavioral and affective disorders often require antipsychotic therapy, in combination with psychotherapeutic interventions, for their treatment and stabilization. Although pharmacotherapy can include either typical or atypical antipsychotics, the latter are generally preferred because of their apparently lower risk of adverse effects. Recent controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of some of these agents (including aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone) in adolescent schizophrenia and children or adolescent bipolar mania, or to treat severe aggression and self-injury in the context of autism in children and adolescents. Although few studies have systematically monitored their short- and, more importantly, long-term safety, current evidence indicates that sedation, hyperprolactinemia, and metabolic abnormalities such as excess weight gain, diabetes, and related cardiovascular effects were clinically relevant adverse effects in young patients, with the individual agents differing in their propensity to induce these effects. When prescribing antipsychotics for children and adolescents, physicians should therefore be aware of the specific adverse effect profiles and patients should be closely monitored for the short- and long-term development of adverse events. In pediatric patients, the starting dose, titration plan, and maintenance dose of antipsychotics must be based on their pharmacokinetics and metabolism, as in adults. Because there are significant individual differences in drug and active metabolite(s) pharmacokinetics and metabolism, which may be further affected by a number of confounding factors (including demographic variables, phenotype and drug interactions), therapeutic drug monitoring may be a valid tool for individualizing dosage, but its interpretation should also take account of changes in pharmacodynamic sensitivity with the development during childhood and adolescence.

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) collaborative update of CANMAT guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder: update 2013

The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments published guidelines for the management of bipolar disorder in 2005, with updates in 2007 and 2009. This third update, in conjunction with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, reviews new evidence and is designed to be used in conjunction with the previous publications.The recommendations for the management of acute mania remain largely unchanged. Lithium, valproate, and several atypical antipsychotic agents continue to be first-line treatments for acute mania. Monotherapy with asenapine, paliperidone extended release (ER), and divalproex ER, as well as adjunctive asenapine, have been added as first-line options.For the management of bipolar depression, lithium, lamotrigine, and quetiapine monotherapy, as well as olanzapine plus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and lithium or divalproex plus SSRI/bupropion remain first-line options. Lurasidone monotherapy and the combination of lurasidone or lamotrigine plus lithium or divalproex have been added as a second-line options. Ziprasidone alone or as adjunctive therapy, and adjunctive levetiracetam have been added as not-recommended options for the treatment of bipolar depression. Lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, risperidone long-acting injection, and adjunctive ziprasidone continue to be first-line options for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Asenapine alone or as adjunctive therapy have been added as third-line options.

Evidence review and clinical guidance for the use of ziprasidone in Canada

While indicated for schizophrenia and acute mania, ziprasidone's evidence base and use in clinical practice extends beyond these regulatory approvals. We, an invited panel of experts led by a working group of 3, critically examined the evidence and our collective experience regarding the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of ziprasidone across its clinical uses. There was no opportunity for manufacturer input into the content of the review. As anticipated, ziprasidone was found to be effective for its indicated uses, although its utility in mania and mixed states lacked comparative data. Beyond these uses, the available data were either unimpressive or were lacking. An attractive characteristic is its neutral effect on weight thereby providing patients with a non-obesogenic long-term treatment option. Key challenges in practice include the need for dosing on a full stomach and managing its early onset adverse effect of restlessness. Addressing these issues are critical to its long-term success.

Pharmacologic treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents

This review focuses mainly on published articles regarding the treatment of school-aged children and adolescents with pediatric bipolar disorder. In light of systematic reviews, large randomized controlled trial data are emphasized wherever possible. This review addresses the treatment of acute manic/mixed episodes, including combination treatment, the preliminary literature regarding bipolar depression among youth, treatment in the face of comorbid conditions, and maintenance treatment. Suggestions regarding future directions are offered. A clinical vignette describing a teen with bipolar disorder is presented and bipolar medications, dosing, efficacy, side effects, contraindications, and succinct comments on each medication are summarized.

Empirical evidence for psychopharmacologic treatment in early-onset psychosis and schizophrenia

Psychotic symptoms presenting in youth can be clinically complex and require that a child and adolescent psychiatrist use significant skill in making a diagnosis and initiating treatment. There are a number of illnesses to rule out before making a diagnosis of early-onset schizophrenia in particular. Psychosis in youth has significant associated morbidity and places high demands not only on families but also on the medical and educational systems. More effective pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for psychosis are needed. Nonpharmacologic therapies targeting relatively treatment-resistant domains of dysfunction such as neurocognition are also necessary as adjunctive treatments to our extant pharmacologic agents.

Adverse effects of second-generation antipsychotics in children and adolescents: a Bayesian meta-analysis

In adults, second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have a low frequency of extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) and a moderate frequency of metabolic adverse effects. Here we aimed to assess short-term adverse effects of SGAs in children and adolescents. We searched for relevant studies in MEDLINE and EMBASE (1996-2010), Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency clinical trial registries, and reference lists of review articles. We found 41 were short-term (3-12 weeks) controlled studies that evaluated SGA adverse effects in youths. Using Bayesian meta-analysis, we analyzed odds ratios (ORs) or mean average effects. Numbers of arms (subjects) in the 41 trials were aripiprazole, 10 (n = 671); olanzapine, 14 (n = 413); quetiapine, 10 (n = 446); risperidone, 25 (n = 1040); ziprasidone, 4 (n = 228); clozapine, 5 (n = 79); and placebo/untreated, 23 (n = 1138), totaling 93 arms (4015 patients). Clozapine was assessed only for weight gain and somnolence. Compared with placebo, significant treatment-related increases were observed for weight gain with olanzapine (mean ± SD = 3.99 ± 0.42 kg; 95% credible interval, 3.17-4.84 kg), clozapine (2.38 ± 1.13 kg; 95% credible interval, 0.19-4.62 kg), risperidone (2.02 ± 0.32 kg; 95% credible interval, 1.39-2.66 kg), quetiapine (1.74 ± 0.38 kg; 95% credible interval, 0.99-2.5 kg), and aripiprazole (0.89 ± 0.32 kg; 95% credible interval, 0.26-1.51 kg); glucose levels with risperidone (3.7 ± 1.36 mg/dL; 95% credible interval, 1.08-6.42 mg/dL) and olanzapine (2.09 ± 1.08 mg/dL; 95% credible interval, 0.13-4.32 mg/dL); cholesterol levels with quetiapine (10.77 ± 2.14 mg/dL; 95% credible interval, 6.6-14.95 mg/dL) and olanzapine (4.46 ± 1.65 mg/dL; 95% credible interval, 1.24-7.73 mg/dL); triglyceride levels with olanzapine (20.18 ± 5.26 mg/dL; 95% credible interval, 9.85-30.53 mg/dL) and quetiapine (19.5 ± 3.92 mg/dL; 95% credible interval, 11.84-27.17 mg/dL); hyperprolactinemia with risperidone (OR, 38.63; 95% credible interval, 8.62-125.6), olanzapine (OR, 15.6; 95% credible interval, 4.39-41.1), and ziprasidone (OR, 9.35; 95% credible interval, 1.24-37.03); and EPS with ziprasidone (OR, 20.56; 95% credible interval, 3.53-68.94), olanzapine (OR, 6.36; 95% credible interval, 2.43-13.84), aripiprazole (OR, 3.79; 95% credible interval, 2.17-6.17), and risperidone (OR, 3.71; 95% credible interval, 2.18-6.02). All SGAs increased the risk of somnolence/sedation. We conclude that short-term metabolic effects and EPS are frequent in children treated with SGAs. Second-generation antipsychotics have distinct profiles of secondary effects, which should be considered in making treatment decisions.

Weight gain and metabolic risks associated with antipsychotic medications in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic-related weight gain and metabolic adverse effects have become a major focus, especially in youth.

METHODS

Review of randomized, cohort, and pharmacoepidemiologic studies of antipsychotic-related weight gain and metabolic adverse effects and of interventions for their reduction in youth.

RESULTS

Across 34 published head-to-head and placebo-controlled studies in youth with psychotic and bipolar disorders, weight gain ranged from 3.8 to 16.2 kg with olanzapine (n=353), 0.9-9.5 kg with clozapine (n=97), 1.9-7.2 kg with risperidone (n=571), 2.3-6.1 kg with quetiapine (n=133), and 0-4.4 kg with aripiprazole (n=451). In 24 placebo-controlled trials, the numbers-needed-to-harm for weight gain ≥7% in youth with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were 39 (confidence interval [CI]: -1 to +6, not significant) for aripiprazole, 36 (CI: -1 to +7, not significant) for ziprasidone, 9 (CI: 7-14) for quetiapine, 6 (CI: 5-8) for risperidone, and 3 (CI: 3-4) for olanzapine. Data in youth with autism and disruptive behavior disorders, available only for some antipsychotics, suggest greater weight gain, possibly due to less prior antipsychotic exposure. Three-month results from a large cohort study in antipsychotic-naïve youth indicated that metabolic effects differ among second-generation antipsychotics, despite significant weight gain with all studied agents, suggesting additional, weight-independent effects. Further, pharmacoepidemiologic work indicates that antipsychotic polypharmacy increases the risk for obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 2.28 [CI: 1.49-3.65]) or any cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or hypertensive adverse event (OR: 1.72 [CI: 1.10-2.69]). However, despite marked weight gain and its greater impact on youth, monitoring rates are low and studies of pharmacologic and behavioral interventions are extremely limited.

CONCLUSIONS

More research is needed to develop strategies to minimize antipsychotic-related weight gain and metabolic effects in youth and to discover treatments with lower risk potential.

An open-label study of aripiprazole in children with a bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this open-label study was to describe the effectiveness of aripiprazole (APZ) in the treatment of children with bipolar disorders suffering from manic symptomatology.

METHOD

Symptomatic outpatients (Young Mania Rating Scale [YMRS] score ≥15) meeting strict, unmodified, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, diagnostic symptom criteria for a bipolar disorder, ages 4-9 years, were eligible. Subjects were treated prospectively with flexible doses of APZ (maximum daily dose of 15 mg/day), for up to 16 weeks or until a priori response criteria were met. Outcome measures included the YMRS, Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Severity, Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), and the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R). A priori response criteria consisted of 3 of 4 consecutive weeks with (1) CDRS-R <29; (2) YMRS <10; and (3) CGAS >50.

RESULTS

Ninety-six children (62 males; mean age of 6.9 (SD = 1.7), received APZ for an average length of treatment of 12.5 (SD = 3.9) weeks. Significant improvements in YMRS, CDRS-R, CGAS, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Severity scores (p < 0.001) were noted at the end of study participation. Sixty of the subjects (62.5%) met a priori response criteria at study's end. The most common side effects noted were stomachache, increased appetite, and headache. Two subjects were removed from the study due to side effects [epistaxis (n = 1); akathisia (n = 1)]. Subjects experienced an average weight gain of 2.4 (SD = 1.9) kg.

CONCLUSION

APZ may be effective in the acute treatment of symptoms of children with bipolar illnesses.

QT interval duration and dispersion in children and adolescents treated with ziprasidone

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of symptoms (palpitations, syncope) and electrocardiographic signs (increased QT duration and dispersion) of an increased risk of torsades de pointes in youth treated with ziprasidone.

METHOD

Data for this study were collected as part of a prospective, observational, mixed inpatient and outpatient cohort study of youth who were administered antipsychotic treatment for the first time. For this study, we focus on 29 patients (mean ± SD age 15.3 ± 2.9 years) receiving ziprasidone (112.8 ± 50.6 mg/d; range, 20-240) for 99.3 ± 108.7 days. All patients had normal electrocardiograms (ECGs) and no serious medical illness at baseline. Patients had a mean of 2.7 ± 1.3 (median = 3; range, 1-7; total = 49) follow-up ECGs performed monthly for 3 months and every 3 months thereafter, with concurrent blood ziprasidone level measurements. Heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) duration and dispersion were measured manually in ≥ 6 ECG leads. QTc > 450-millisecond or ≥ 60-millisecond increase and QTc dispersion > 100 milliseconds were considered abnormal. The study was conducted from December 2001 to September 2007.

RESULTS

No patient reported syncope or symptomatic arrhythmias. Seven patients (24.1%) developed ECG abnormalities; 5 had peak QTc durations > 450 milliseconds, and 2 had peak QTc dispersion > 100 milliseconds. The baseline-to-peak QTc duration increased by 22.9 ± 21 milliseconds (P < .0001). The baseline-to-peak QTc dispersion increased by 6.1 ± 31.4 milliseconds (P = .30). The peak QTc duration and dispersion occurred after 47.6 ± 46.0 and 60.4 ± 73.2 treatment days, respectively. Baseline-to-peak QTc duration and dispersion changes were not correlated with ziprasidone dose (P = .65) or plasma levels (P = .50).

CONCLUSIONS

Ziprasidone was associated with a dose- and level-independent, significant prolongation of QTc duration in one-quarter of youth. However, prolongation of QTc dispersion was nonsignificant, and no patient experienced concomitant abnormal prolongation of both QTc duration and QTc dispersion. The dissociation between prolonged QTc duration and dispersion suggests low arrhythmogenic potential in youth with normal baseline ECGs.

Metabolic and endocrine adverse effects of second-generation antipsychotics in children and adolescents: A systematic review of randomized, placebo controlled trials and guidelines for clinical practice

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) are being used more often than ever before in children and adolescents with psychotic and a wide range of non-psychotic disorders. Several SGA have received regulatory approval for some paediatric indications in various countries, but off-label use is still frequent. The aim of this paper was to perform a systematic review and critically evaluate the literature on cardiometabolic and endocrine side-effects of SGA in children and adolescents through a Medline/Pubmed/Google Scholar search of randomized, placebo controlled trials of antipsychotics in children and adolescents (<18 years old) until February 2010. In total, 31 randomized, controlled studies including 3595 paediatric patients were identified. A review of these data confirmed that SGA are associated with relevant cardiometabolic and endocrine side-effects, and that children and adolescents have a high liability to experience antipsychotic induced hyperprolactinaemia, weight gain and associated metabolic disturbances. Only weight change data were sufficiently reported to conduct a formal meta-analysis. In 24 trials of 3048 paediatric patients with varying ages and diagnoses, ziprasidone was associated with the lowest weight gain (-0.04kg, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.38 to +0.30), followed by aripiprazole (0.79kg, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.04], quetiapine (1.43kg, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.69) and risperidone (1.76kg, 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.25) were intermediate, and olanzapine was associated with weight gain the most (3.45kg, 95% CI: 2.93 to 3.97). Significant weight gain appeared to be more prevalent in patients with autistic disorder who were also younger and likely less exposed to antipsychotics previously. These data clearly suggest that close screening and monitoring of metabolic side effects is warranted and that the least cardiometabolically problematic agents should be used first whenever possible. A good collaboration between child- and adolescent psychiatrists, general practitioners and paediatricians is essential to maximize overall outcomes and to reduce the likelihood of premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Double-blind randomized trial of risperidone versus divalproex in pediatric bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative effects of risperidone and divalproex in pediatric mania.

METHODS

This is a double-blind, randomized, outpatient clinical trial with 66 children and adolescents (mean age= 10.9 ± 3.3 years; age range= 8-18 years) with mania who were randomly assigned to either risperidone (0.5-2 mg/day, n= 33) or divalproex (60-120 μg/mL, n= 33) for a six-week period. Measures included the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Child Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R).

RESULTS

Mixed-effects regression models, with interaction between time and the active drug as predictors, found that the risperidone group had more rapid improvement than the divalproex group (p < 0.05), although final scores did not differ significantly between groups. Mixed models using only those subjects who completed the six-week study found similar results. The response rate on YMRS was 78.1% for risperidone and 45.5% for divalproex (p < 0.01). The remission rate for risperidone was 62.5%, compared with 33.3% for divalproex (p < 0.05). Improvement on the CDRS-R was significantly higher for the risperidone group relative to the divalproex group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups in safety, but subject retention was significantly higher at study endpoint in the risperidone group (p < 0.01). Dropout rate was 24% in the risperidone group and 48% in the divalproex group, with increased irritability being the most common reason for dropout in the latter. There was no significant weight gain in either group.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that risperidone was associated with more rapid improvement and greater reduction in manic symptoms compared to divalproex. Although the results suggest that both drugs are safe, risperidone's lower attrition rate and lower rate of adverse events may suggest better toleration. Clinical trials with larger samples are required to confirm these preliminary findings.

Psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents treated with open-label ziprasidone for bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine global functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and clinical outcome in children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder following ziprasidone treatment.

METHODS

Sixty-three subjects (aged 10-17 years) received open-label ziprasidone, titrated from 10 to 40 mg twice a day (b.i.d.) (low-dose group) or from 20 to 80 mg b.i.d. (high-dose group); fixed doses were used until week 3, followed by flexible doses for 6 months. The Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) characterized functional impairment at baseline and following treatment. The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) assessed HRQOL at baseline.

RESULTS

Baseline CHQ showed greater impairment in psychosocial functioning than in physical health. Baseline mean CGAS scores were substantially below normal (i.e., <70), indicating functional impairment. Improvement in CGAS scores occurred as early as the first week of treatment. The low correlations between both CHQ and CGAS and the efficacy measures at baseline indicate that these scales measure different constructs. Nevertheless, there was good correlation between improvements in the CGAS and changes in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored (BPRS-A) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) during ziprasidone treatment.

CONCLUSION

CHQ and CGAS scales may be useful together with standard efficacy measures for children and adolescents with these disorders.