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Lommer K, Tutzer F, Hofer A. Rhabdomyolysis during adjunctive treatment with cariprazine in a clozapine-resistant schizophrenia patient. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 39:288-290. [PMID: 38170806 PMCID: PMC11136262 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
We report the case of a 49-year-old male treatment-resistant schizophrenia patient, whose treatment with clozapine and sertraline was supplemented with cariprazine 1.5 mg/day while regularly presenting for electroconvulsive therapy. After 3 weeks of adjunctive treatment with cariprazine, blood tests revealed pronounced signs of rhabdomyolysis, including a creatine kinase serum level of 20 386 U/L and an AST serum level of 696 U/L. Clinically, the patient did not report somatic symptoms other than mild back pain. After discontinuation of cariprazine and normal saline infusion, the above-mentioned findings resolved rapidly. Although very rare, rhabdomyolysis can be a potentially dangerous side effect of cariprazine and clinicians should be aware of its possible occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Lommer
- Medical University Innsbruck, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Franziska Tutzer
- Medical University Innsbruck, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alex Hofer
- Medical University Innsbruck, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Innsbruck, Austria
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2
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Siwek M, Chrobak AA, Gorostowicz A, Król P, Dudek D. Cariprazine augmentation of clozapine in schizophrenia-a retrospective chart review. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1321112. [PMID: 38239199 PMCID: PMC10794393 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1321112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of cariprazine augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia in a retrospective chart review. Among 916 medical records of schizophrenia patients, we identified 12 individuals treated with a combination of those drugs for a duration of 3-60 weeks [median 32 (10-40)]. Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores were used to measure the treatment response between the introduction of cariprazine augmentation of clozapine and the last point of observation. The majority of the patients presented treatment response (9/12 patients, 75%) after 4-16 weeks of therapy [median 6 (4-12)]. Treatment was associated with the decrease in positive, negative, affective, and anxiety symptom severity, as well as improvement of patient global functioning. One patient discontinued the treatment due to side effects (akathisia), and two patients halted the therapy due to the exacerbation of psychotic symptoms. Our study presents a thorough clinical description of the largest number of treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients medicated using cariprazine augmentation of clozapine in a "real-world" setting. Our results suggest that the use of this combination may lead to the improvement in a broad range of symptoms of patients with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Siwek
- Department of Affective Disorders, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Patrycja Król
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dominika Dudek
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
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3
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Oloyede E, Dima A, Taylor D, Cheung H, Dzahini O, Shergill S, Whiskey E. Clozapine augmentation with long-acting antipsychotic injections: A case series and systematic review. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2023; 148:538-552. [PMID: 37899506 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 30% of patients with a diagnosis of treatment-resistant psychosis remain symptomatic despite an optimal trial with the gold standard treatment, clozapine. Emerging evidence suggests the clinical utility of long-acting injections (LAI) in such clinical scenarios. In this study, we aimed to describe clozapine augmentation with LAIs in an inner London hospital and explore the literature on the clinical effectiveness of this treatment modality. METHODS Patients prescribed clozapine, who were commenced on a LAI between 2007 and 2023 by the United Kingdom's largest mental health trust, were identified from electronic patient records. First, routine clinical data were used to describe the use, effectiveness, and safety of this augmentation strategy. Second, we conducted a literature search up to 1st June 2023 to identify published studies describing clinical outcomes after clozapine augmentation with a LAI. Clinical outcomes were collated and presented in a table, including hospitalisation rates and quantitative clinical assessments using validated scales. RESULTS Of the 1248 patients prescribed clozapine in SLaM, three patients (0.2%) received augmentation with the following LAIs: olanzapine embonate, paliperidone palmitate and pipotiazine palmitate. This treatment strategy was clinically effective and generally well tolerated in all three cases. Twelve published studies between 2010 and 2022 were included in the review. Eight distinct LAIs were reported (4 first and 4 second generation antipsychotics), with risperidone and paliperidone most widely studied. All the identified studies were observational including mirror-image studies, case series and case reports. Duration of follow up varied from 3 months to 3 years. There was evidence that the use of LAIs with clozapine can significantly reduce clinical symptoms, hospitalisation rates and bed days. No serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION This preliminary evidence suggests clinical utility of LAIs in alleviating residual symptoms and subsequently reducing hospitalisation rates in patients optimised on clozapine treatment. The current study warrants further investigations including a randomised controlled study to establish the clinical efficacy, tolerability, and place in therapy of this treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Oloyede
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Aikaterini Dima
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Taylor
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Henry Cheung
- Pharmacy Department, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Olubanke Dzahini
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sukhi Shergill
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Medical School, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, Chatham, UK
| | - Eromona Whiskey
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
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Taylor D, Chithiramohan R, Grewal J, Gupta A, Hansen L, Reynolds GP, Pappa S. Dopamine partial agonists: a discrete class of antipsychotics. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2023; 27:272-284. [PMID: 36495086 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2022.2151473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, there are now three marketed dopamine D2 partial agonists: aripiprazole, brexpiprazole and cariprazine. These three drugs share a number of properties other than their action at D2 receptors. Pharmacologically, they are 5HT2 antagonists and D3 and 5HT1A partial agonists but with little or no alpha-adrenergic, anticholinergic or antihistaminic activity. They also share a long duration of action. Clinically, D2 partial agonists are effective antipsychotics and generally have useful antimanic and antidepressant activity. They are usually well tolerated, causing akathisia and insomnia only at the start of treatment, and are non-sedating. These drugs also share a very low risk of increased prolactin and of weight gain and accompanying metabolic effects. They may also have a relatively low risk of tardive dyskinesia. There is some evidence that they are preferred by patients to dopamine antagonists. Individual dopamineD2 partial agonists have much in common and as a group they differ importantly from dopamine D2 antagonists. Dopamine D2 partial agonists should be considered a distinct class of antipsychotics.Key pointsD2 partial agonists share many pharmacological and clinical propertiesD2 partial agonists differ in several important respects from D2 antagonistsD2 partial agonists should be considered a discrete class of antipsychotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Taylor
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Avirup Gupta
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Lars Hansen
- Southampton University, Hartley Library B12, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Gavin P Reynolds
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sofia Pappa
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- West London NHS Trust, London, UK
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5
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Granger KT, Sand M, Caswell S, Lizarraga L, Barnett JH, Moran PM. A new era for schizophrenia drug development - Lessons for the future. Drug Discov Today 2023:103603. [PMID: 37142156 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
For many patients and their treating clinicians, the pharmacological management of psychotic symptoms centres on trying to find a regime that balances efficacy and quality of life, impairing side effects associated with dopamine antagonism. Recent reports of a positive Phase III study from Karuna Therapeutics indicate that the first primarily non-dopamine-based treatment for schizophrenia may come to market soon with the potential for substantially reduced or differentiated side effects. Against a background of repeated failures, Karuna's success promises a desperately needed new treatment option for patients. It also reflects some hard-won lessons about the methodology for schizophrenia drug development. Teaser A positive Phase II study and positive media report from a Phase III study with xanomeline/trospium may herald the first truly new treatment option for schizophrenia patients in decades. This drug's journey to this point reflects some hard-won lessons about the methodology for schizophrenia drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiri T Granger
- Monument Therapeutics, Macclesfield, UK; School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer H Barnett
- Monument Therapeutics, Macclesfield, UK; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paula M Moran
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Siwek M, Chrobak AA, Gorostowicz A, Król P, Dudek D. Lurasidone Augmentation of Clozapine in Schizophrenia—Retrospective Chart Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030445. [PMID: 36979255 PMCID: PMC10046327 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lurasidone augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (SZ) in a retrospective chart review. From the medical records of 916 SZ patients, we identified 16 individuals treated with a combination of clozapine and lurasidone. The detailed clinical data are described separately for each patient. We compared the Clinical Global Impression—Severity (CGI-S) scores between three points of observation: before the treatment and one month and two months after its initiation. CGI Improvement (CGI-I) scores were used to evaluate the treatment response between the first and last points of observation. The vast majority of patients (14/16, 87.5%) responded to lurasidone augmentation of clozapine (CGI-I scores 1 or 2). Therapeutic effects were observable after 3–12 weeks of treatment (median 6 (4–6)). A reduction in CGI-S scores was observed after the first month of observation. There was an observable reduction in positive, depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as an improvement in psychosocial functioning. Two patients discontinued treatment due to side effects. Our study suggests that lurasidone augmentation of clozapine may lead to improvements in a broad range of SZ symptom dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Siwek
- Department of Affective Disorders, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika St. 21a, 31-501 Cracow, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-12-424-87-00
| | - Adrian Andrzej Chrobak
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika St. 21a, 31-501 Cracow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Gorostowicz
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika St. 21a, 31-501 Cracow, Poland
| | - Patrycja Król
- Department of Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital in Cracow, Kopernika St. 21a, 31-501 Cracow, Poland
| | - Dominika Dudek
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika St. 21a, 31-501 Cracow, Poland
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Cookson J, Pimm J, Reynolds G. Partial agonists of dopamine receptors: clinical effects and dopamine receptor interactions in combining aripiprazole with a full antagonist in treating psychosis. BJPSYCH ADVANCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1192/bja.2022.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Partial agonists of dopamine receptors are used in combination with full antagonists in treating psychosis, either to mitigate side-effects or in the hope of increasing effectiveness. We examine how combinations may affect the occupancy of D2/D3 dopamine receptors and explore how these can explain the outcomes in the light of the dopamine hypothesis of psychosis. The combinations considered here are from published studies combining aripiprazole with amisulpride, with risperidone in people with hyperprolactinaemia and with olanzapine to mitigate weight gain. We discuss possible worsening of symptoms by the addition of a partial agonist or switching. We also examine the potentially adverse interaction with a full antagonist such as haloperidol given during a subsequent relapse to control severe agitation.
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de Bartolomeis A, Ciccarelli M, Vellucci L, Fornaro M, Iasevoli F, Barone A. Update on novel antipsychotics and pharmacological strategies for treatment resistant schizophrenia. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:2035-2052. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2145884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Ciccarelli
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Iasevoli
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Barone
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Bogren M, Soltesz M, Hjorth S. Remission of Persistent Negative Symptoms and Psychosocial Consequences by Combined Clozapine and Cariprazine Treatment in a Patient With Long-Standing Treatment-Resistant Schizoaffective Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:887547. [PMID: 35664491 PMCID: PMC9157048 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.887547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This patient case report describes a 45-year old white unmarried man with disability pension due to schizoaffective disorder, diagnosed at the age of 24. He lives in an apartment and has housing support. Retrospectively, the patient displayed prodromal markers of a disorder within the schizophrenia spectrum many years before the onset of frank psychosis, indeed since childhood. Over the years several symptoms and signs across schizophrenia domains have been manifest: positive, negative, cognitive, and affective, among which the negative and affective symptoms and signs were the earliest to appear. While the positive, disorganized, and catatonic symptoms responded to treatment - when duly tested and complied with - the negative and affective symptoms have been notoriously difficult to handle. We now report on the successful introduction of cariprazine (CAR) to his ongoing clozapine (CLZ) medication, the result of which has been a near-complete remission of his persistent negative and psychosocial issues. We interpret this remarkable alleviation of the patient's disease - and concomitant improvement of his quality of life - in terms of neuroreceptor target complementarity between CLZ and CAR, with particular emphasis on the contributions from the D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist components of the latter agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Bogren
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Vuxenpsykiatrimottagning Psykos, Lund, Sweden
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Duque-Yemail JD, Avila JC. Switching Clozapine to Cariprazine in Three Patients with Persistent Symptoms of Schizophrenia: A Case Series. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:1433-1440. [PMID: 35859803 PMCID: PMC9289754 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s367922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite many available treatments for schizophrenia, several unmet needs persist in treating individuals with this disorder, and the response rate to first-line antipsychotics remains relatively low. Clozapine has shown efficacy in treating schizophrenia patients who failed to respond to previous antipsychotics. However, side effects and the need for routine blood tests have limited its use as a first-line treatment. Cariprazine is a D2/D3 partial agonist antipsychotic with a mechanism of action that differs from other antipsychotics due to its higher affinity for D3 receptors. Several trials have demonstrated the efficacy of cariprazine on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and have shown that it is a well-tolerated treatment. In this series, we present 3 cases of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were initially under treatment with clozapine. Despite some initial improvement, the patients showed persisting positive and negative symptoms or developed limiting side effects while in treatment with clozapine. Cariprazine treatment was titrated concurrently with clozapine tapering until its discontinuation. Significant improvement in both positive and negative symptoms was observed up to 14 months after starting cariprazine, and resolution of side effects was reported in all cases. Our case series supports cariprazine as an effective treatment for positive and negative symptoms in patients who failed to adequately respond or poorly tolerated treatment with clozapine, as well as a potential treatment in dual disorders, specifically psychotic disorders and cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Duque-Yemail
- Psychiatry Resident, Department of Mental Health, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Vasiliu O. Third-generation antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia and non-responsivity or intolerance to clozapine regimen: What is the evidence? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1069432. [PMID: 36523870 PMCID: PMC9744942 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1069432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Clozapine is considered « the golden standard » for the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but many patients do not present adequate responsivity even to this antipsychotic. If we add the need to strictly monitor the hematologic and cardiometabolic adverse events during each clozapine trial and the difficulty of preserving therapeutic adherence in patients with low insight, residual negative/positive symptoms, or economic challenges, then the necessity of exploring alternative interventions for these patients becomes obvious. Also, in case of intolerance to clozapine or where clozapine did not induce remission, clinicians have to find new ways to help their patients. Switching to other antipsychotics or using these agents as add-ons to clozapine are the main interventions explored in this review, for patients with schizophrenia resistant to clozapine (ultra-resistant schizophrenia, URS). When clozapine intolerance is detected, conversion to another antipsychotic with distinct pharmacologic properties or formulation (e.g., long-acting intramuscular injectable agents, LAI) may be a useful option. Third-generation antipsychotics (TGA) have been selected for their distinct pharmacodynamically profile, which allows, at a theoretical level, their use in combination with clozapine. This narrative review is based on searching four electronic databases, that retrieved 19 primary and secondary reports on aripiprazole (seven case reports or case series presenting 24 patients; nine clinical trials, and three systematic reviews/meta-analyses), two primary reports on brexpiprazole (case report and case series, N = 3 patients), and six primary reports on cariprazine (case reports and case series, N = 14 patients). Based on the information collected from these reports, which included oral and LAI formulations, the TGA most supported by evidence for the augmentation of clozapine is aripiprazole (high-and medium-quality data), followed by cariprazine (low-quality data). Brexpiprazole has not yet been systematically explored for this indication, and in the case of lumateperone, no report could be found. The efficacy of aripiprazole and cariprazine was supported in the domains of positive, negative, and general symptoms, and aripiprazole may positively impact the metabolic profile in patients with URS. Also, adding TGA may lead to a decrease in the dose of clozapine concomitantly administered. More data derived from good quality research are needed in order to confirm the circumstances of TGAs recommendation in patients with URS, either as monotherapy, or added to clozapine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavian Vasiliu
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Carol Davila University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
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Pappa S, Kalniunas A, Sharma H, Raza-Syed A, Kamal M, Larkin F. Efficacy and safety of cariprazine augmentation in patients treated with clozapine: a pilot study. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2022; 12:20451253221132087. [PMID: 36439679 PMCID: PMC9685211 DOI: 10.1177/20451253221132087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cariprazine, a novel antipsychotic drug, is a partial agonist of dopamine D2/D3 receptors with preferential binding to the D3 receptor. There has been an increasing interest in cariprazine augmentation to clozapine; however, the evidence thus far has been only limited to case reports and case series. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the augmentation of clozapine with cariprazine in patients with sub-optimal treatment response. METHODS Demographic and clinical information of the study population were collected from the electronic records and PANSS scale administered at baseline and 3 months. Tolerability and discontinuation reasons where applicable were also recorded. RESULTS Ten patients (four men and six women) with a mean age of 36.5 years (range = 26-45) were included. Reasons for cariprazine initiation included inadequate treatment response, persistent negative symptoms and/or tolerability issues with clozapine or previous augmentation options. Two patients discontinued cariprazine within the first 6 weeks due to restlessness and poor response, respectively. There was a significant reduction in the median total PANSS score from baseline to 3 months (from 59 to 22.5, p < 0.05), median positive PANSS score (from 11.5 to 5.5, p < 0.05) and in the median negative PANSS score (from 15.5 to 3, p < 0.05) which correspond to a 48%, 33.8% and 65.8% mean score reduction, respectively. CONCLUSION This is the first pilot study evaluating the effectiveness of clozapine augmentation. The preliminary evidence suggests that this may be a safe and effective practice in patients failing to adequately respond to or tolerate clozapine and/or previous augmentation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Pappa
- Recovery Team East, Avenue House, West London NHS Trust, 43-47 Avenue Road, London W3 8NJ, UK.,Imperial College London, London, UK
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