Intramuscular Depot Formulation of Aripiprazole as Maintenance Treatment in Patients With Schizophrenia

Summary

The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of an intramuscular depot formulation of aripiprazole as maintenance treatment in patients with schizophrenia. The trial was designed into 4 treatment phases. Phase 1 was designed to allow for a patient to be converted from their current antipsychotic treatment to oral non-generic aripiprazole monotherapy (oral conversion phase from 4 to 6 weeks). During Phase 2, the patient was stabilized on oral non-generic aripiprazole monotherapy (oral stabilization phase from a minimum of 4 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks). Once the patient was stabilized in Phase 2, they entered Phase 3, the single-blind intramuscular (IM) depot aripiprazole stabilization phase. The goal of the phase was to stabilize the patient on the IM depot aripiprazole formulation for a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of 36 weeks. When the patient was stabilized, they were eligible to be randomized into the double-blind IM depot maintenance phase (Phase 4). During Phase 4, the patient was assessed for exacerbation of psychotic symptoms and/or impending relapse for up to 52 weeks.

Timeline

Start

2008-07

Primary completion

2010-08

Completion

2011-02

Publications

• Results Kane JM, Sanchez R, Perry PP, Jin N, Johnson BR, Forbes RA, McQuade RD, Carson WH, Fleischhacker WW. Aripiprazole intramuscular depot as maintenance treatment in patients with schizophrenia: a 52-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2012 May;73(5):617-24. doi: 10.4088/JCP.11m07530.
• Citrome L, Bell Lynum KS, Zhang Z, Atkins N Jr, Hutson Walker AM, Yildirim M. Aripiprazole Once-Monthly for Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: Number Needed to Treat, Number Needed to Harm, and Likelihood to be Helped or Harmed. J Clin Psychiatry. 2026 May 13;87(2):26m16359. doi: 10.4088/JCP.26m16359.
• Kane JM, Sanchez R, Baker RA, Eramo A, Peters-Strickland T, Perry PP, Johnson BR, Tsai LF, Carson WH, McQuade RD, Fleischhacker WW. Patient-Centered Outcomes with Aripiprazole Once-Monthly for Maintenance Treatment in Patients with Schizophrenia: Results From Two Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Studies. Clin Schizophr Relat Psychoses. 2015 Summer;9(2):79-87. Epub 2015 Feb 24.
• Fleischhacker WW, Sanchez R, Johnson B, Jin N, Forbes RA, McQuade R, Baker RA, Carson W, Kane JM. Long-term safety and tolerability of aripiprazole once-monthly in maintenance treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2013 Jul;28(4):171-6. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0b013e3283615dba.

Drugs

Indications