Drug Interactions between Abilify Discmelt and Akynzeo

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether aripiprazole causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval. In clinical trials with aripiprazole involving patients with schizophrenia or bipolar mania, the incidence of QT prolongation was comparable to placebo. In postmarketing experience, QT prolongation, sudden death, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, arrhythmia, and cardiopulmonary arrest have been reported. However, these events were very rare or isolated, and many of the patients had preexisting cardiovascular disease, were on concomitant medications known to prolong the QT interval, had risk factors for QT prolongation, took an overdose of aripiprazole, and/or were morbidly obese. On the contrary, most data available in the medical literature suggest that aripiprazole either has no effect on the QT interval, or it may even cause a slight shortening of the QT interval within the dosage range of 10 to 30 mg/day.

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution when aripiprazole is used with drugs that are known to cause QT prolongation. ECG monitoring may be advisable in some cases, such as in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

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MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 and/or 2D6 may increase the plasma concentrations of aripiprazole, which is primarily metabolized by these isoenzymes. According to the product labeling, administration of a single 15 mg dose of aripiprazole during treatment with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (200 mg/day for 14 days) increased the systemic exposure (AUC) to aripiprazole and its active metabolite, dehydro-aripiprazole, by 63% and 77%, respectively, compared to administration of aripiprazole alone. Likewise, administration of a 10 mg dose of aripiprazole with the potent CYP450 2D6 inhibitor quinidine (166 mg/day for 13 days) increased aripiprazole AUC by 112%, although dehydro-aripiprazole AUC was reduced by 35%.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response to aripiprazole should be monitored more closely whenever a CYP450 3A4 and/or 2D6 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the aripiprazole dosage adjusted as necessary. The manufacturer recommends that aripiprazole dosage be reduced to one-half the normal dosage during concomitant administration with ketoconazole or quinidine, and additional dosage adjustments be made based on clinical evaluation. No dosage recommendations are available for concomitant administration with less potent CYP450 2D6 or 3A4 inhibitors.

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