Symptomatic bradycardia with oral aripiprazole and oral ziprasidone

Impact of Preoperative Aripiprazole on Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

Aripiprazole is a second-generation atypical antipsychotic with worldwide clinical approval. Nevertheless, its perioperative antinociceptive application has not been studied. As a result, the purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of perioperative aripiprazole on reducing postoperative pain, as well as the possible adverse effects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This randomized controlled study enrolled 80 female patients scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy who were assigned randomly into 2 equal groups in 1:1; aripiprazole group (n = 40), patients received an aripiprazole 30 mg tablet orally 3 hours before surgery and placebo group (n = 40), patients received a placebo tablet 3 hours before surgery. The 24-hour morphine consumption postoperatively was the primary outcome, and the time to the first analgesic request, sedation scores, and the incidence of perioperative adverse events were the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean 24-hour morphine consumption was significantly lower with aripiprazole (2.5 ± 0.5 mg) than with placebo (23.7 ± 1.6 mg; mean ± SE -21.2 ± 0.3, 95% CI: -21.7 to -20.6, P < 0.001). In addition, the mean time to the first analgesic request was significantly longer with aripiprazole (212.2 ± 14.7 min) than with placebo (27.0 ± 2.0 min; mean ± SE 185.2 ± 2.3, 95% CI: 180.5 to 189.8, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the aripiprazole group reported higher sedation scores ( P < 0.001). Bradycardia and hypotension were reported more frequently among patients in the aripiprazole group ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Aripiprazole was effective in reducing pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy. Although self-limited, side effects should be taken into consideration when using the medication perioperatively.

Case Report: A rare case of symptomatic bradycardia secondary to aripiprazole in a patient with bipolar disorder type I

It is well known that typical antipsychotic drugs have been implicated as a cause of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest; studies have shown that conventional antipsychotics increase the risk of hospitalization for ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest nearly 2-fold. However, atypical antipsychotics are not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. The use of atypical antipsychotics increased since they were first discovered and now are the mainstay of treatment, but with their broad use, heart effects have been documented, such as prolonged QT interval. Clozapine has been linked to severe cardiac problems, and risperidone has been linked to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. We present a case of a patient with bipolar disorder who presented with symptomatic bradycardia secondary to aripiprazole.

Drug-drug interactions involving antipsychotics and antihypertensives

INTRODUCTION

Antipsychotics represent the mainstay in the treatment of patients diagnosed with major psychiatric disorders. Hypertension, among other components of metabolic syndrome, is a common finding in these patients. For their psychiatric and physical morbidity, many patients receive polypharmacy, exposing them to the risk of clinically relevant drug-drug interactions.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the knowledge regarding the known or potential drug-drug interactions between antipsychotics and the main drug classes used in the treatment of hypertension. We aimed to provide the clinician an insight into the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between these drugs for a better choice of combinations of drugs to treat both the mental illness and cardiovascular risk factors. For this, we performed a literature search in PubMed and Scopus databases, up to 31 July 2021.

EXPERT OPINION

The main pharmacokinetic interactions between antipsychotics and antihypertensive drugs involve mainly the cytochrome P450 system. The pharmacodynamic interactions are produced by multiple mechanisms, leading to concurrent binding to the same receptors. The data available regarding drug-drug interactions is mostly based on case reports and small studies and therefore should be interpreted with caution. The current knowledge is sufficiently strong to guide clinicians in selecting safer drug combinations as summarized here.

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.

Emerging role of aripiprazole for treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents

Autistic disorder is a largely misunderstood and difficult to treat neurodevelopmental disorder. Three core domains of functioning are affected by autistic disorder, ie, socialization, communication, and behavior. Signs of autistic disorder may be present early, but are frequently overlooked, resulting in a delay in its diagnosis and a subsequent delay in treatment. No one definitive therapy is available, and treatment consists of early educational and behavioral interventions, as well as drug therapy. Atypical antipsychotics have often been used in the treatment of autistic disorder to target irritability, aggression, and self-injurious behavior, all of which can interfere with other aspects of treatment. One atypical antipsychotic, aripiprazole, has recently been approved for treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder. Based on the results from two randomized, controlled trials, with efficacy data from nearly 300 patients, treatment with aripiprazole was associated with reductions in irritability, global improvements in behavior, and improvements in quality of life from both the patient and caregiver perspectives. Dosage of aripiprazole ranged from 5 mg to 15 mg per day. Aripiprazole was well tolerated during clinical trials, with most adverse events considered mild or moderate. Clinically relevant weight gain occurred in about 30% of patients given aripiprazole, although when compared with other atypical antipsychotics, aripiprazole appears to have fewer metabolic effects and a lower risk of weight gain. However, pediatric patients taking any atypical antipsychotic should be carefully monitored for potential adverse events, because the long-term effects of antipsychotic therapy in this population are not well known. When used appropriately, aripiprazole has the potential to be an effective treatment for children with autistic disorder to improve irritability and aggressive behavior and improve quality of life.