Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 April 2020
To evaluate efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) aripiprazole and IM haloperidol in patients with acute agitation associated with schizophrenia.
Patients (n=232) were randomized to IM aripiprazole 1-mg (0.5 ml of a 2-mg/ml solution), 5.25-mg (0.7 ml of a 7.5-mg/ml solution to approximate 5-mg), 9.75-mg (1.3 ml of a 7.5-mg/ml solution to approximate 10-mg), or 15-mg (2.0 ml of a 7.5-mg/ml solution), IM haloperidol 7.5-mg (1.5 ml of a 5-mg/ml solution) or IM placebo. Over 24 hours, patients received up to three injections, administered ≥2 hours apart. Primary endpoint was mean change from baseline in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component (PEC) score at 2 hours. Secondary endpoints included CGI-I, CGI-S and ACES scores.
Mean PEC improvements at 2 hours were significantly greater with IM aripiprazole 5.25-, 9.75- and 15-mg, and IM haloperidol versus IM placebo (Table). Compared with IM placebo, mean improvements were significantly greater in CGI-S with IM aripiprazole 9.75- and 15-mg, and in ACES with IM aripiprazole 9.75-mg and IM haloperidol (Table). Mean CGI-I was significantly better with IM aripiprazole 5.25-, 9.75- and 15-mg, and IM haloperidol versus IM placebo (Table). Overall, IM aripiprazole was well tolerated, with fewer extrapyramidal side effects versus IM haloperidol.
IM aripiprazole 9.75-mg is effective and well-tolerated for acute agitation associated with schizophrenia.
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