Pharmacy Clinical Research Study Report

PHARMACY
Clinical research
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PHARMACY
Drug; Abilify
Overview of therapeutic area and drug description
Abilify is a psychotropic drug that is available as tablets and in oral solution form. Its active
ingredient is Aripiprazole; 7-[-4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-pepirazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-
digydrocarbostyril. Fig. 1 below shows the chemical structure of the medicine
Figure.1; chemical structure of Aripiprazole
Abilify is an antipsychotic medicine for patients with bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia. It
contains aripiprazole as the active substance. Schizophrenia is a complicated mental disorder
where the patients abnormally interpret reality. It is often characterized by hallucinations, some
sort of disordered thinking and delusion. It is a condition that requires lifelong treatment,
however, early intervention and treatment may be very significant in getting the mild symptoms
in control thus reducing cases of serious complications (Andersen, 2017 p.67). Causes of
Schizophrenia still remain unknown but scientists believe it is brought by a combination brain
chemistry, genetics as well as environmental factors. When unattended to, Schizophrenia may
result into serious complications that tends to affect every area of one’s life (Saklad, Kreys,
Phan, 2015 p.90). Known complications that may be brought by a persistent case of
Schizophrenia comprise of depression, instances of social isolations, aggression, financial

PHARMACY
problems and homelessness as well as suicidal thoughts and behavior. For Schizophrenia, Abilify
is used to treat patients that are fifteen years and older.
Bipolar I disorder on the other hand is a form of mental illness. Individuals affected by this
particular condition often experience manic behaviors once in their lifetime. This is a period that
is usually characterized by elevated periods of abnormality and high energy that tends to disrupt
normal life patterns (Kahn & Giannopoulou, 2015 p.65). Evidence shows that anyone can
develop bipolar I disorder. Statistics indicate that about 2.7% of the United States population is
suffering from bipolar I disorder. This condition is associated with an inflated self-image, hyper
sexuality, high energy and issues of substance abuse. Abilify is used in the treatment of maniac
episodes that are often caused by the condition. For patients who have had maniac episodes
before, Abilify is used to prevent new ones. It can be used for up to a period of twelve weeks and
its advised for patients that are aged thirteen years and above.
Why abilify is approved
Abilify is available in many forms; both liquid and tablets. It is also available in solution form
used in injection. The solution form in mostly preferred because its effective in controlling
disturbed behavior and agitation for patients suffering diagnosed by both bipolar I disorder and
Schizophrenia. It is as well important to note that Abilify can only be obtain strictly after a
doctor’s prescription. Unlike other similar drugs, Abilify works in quite a different way
(D'Alessandro, 2012 p.85). It contains aripiprazole as the active substance that attaches in the
brain to receptors for two substances known as serotonin (5HT) and dopamine. These two
substances are believed to play a very crucial role in the development of both Schizophrenia and
bipolar I disorder. Through attacking of these two sites of the brain aripiprazole helps aids in the

PHARMACY
normalization of the entire activities of the brain thus reducing any maniac and psychotic
symptoms and preventing them from reoccurring again in future.
Benefits of Abilify as shown in studies
Abilify has shown to a very reliable medicine as a result of the numerous benefits it has had in
the past in the treatment of Schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. In Schizophrenia for instance,
Abilify has proven to be effective at treating symptoms of Schizophrenia using unique standard
rating scales such as the Negative and Positive syndrome scales as well as PANSS. In a recent
study, Abilify showed to be more effective that placebo as far as reducing symptoms is
concerned (Breggin, 2017 p.102). Besides, Abilify has also proven to be just as effective as
haloperidol an antipsychotic medicine in countering symptoms of mental illness and instability.
Furthermore, in another study of five hundred and forty-four patients, Abilify was injected to
patients with symptoms of disturbed behavior and mild cases of agitation and patients showed
improvement over a period of twenty-four hours indicating it is more effective than placebo and
similar to haloperidol. It is as well important to note that Abilify can only be obtain strictly after
a doctor’s prescription. Unlike other similar drugs, Abilify works in quite a different way
For bipolar I disorder, Abilify has also proven to be very effective in countering maniac episodes
and psychotic symptoms using a standard measure for instance, the Young-Mania Rating Scale
(YMRS). In a study four out of the five studies undertaken, Abilify proved to be more effective
that placebo in countering psychotic symptoms (Shirley & Perry, 2017 p.12). Two of the five
studies also indicated that Abilify has similar effects as that of lithium and haloperidol. Besides,
in another study of two hundred and night six children and adolescents, Abilify showed to be
more effective that placebo in the treatment of patients aged above thirteen years old. Finally, in
another study of two hundred and night one patients treated by injection for agitation, Abilify