Abstract

Aripiprazole: an appraisal of the translation of complex receptor effects into clinical outcomes

Author(s): Peter F Buckley and Simon Sebastian

Aripiprazole possesses a complex pharmacology with both partial agonist and full antagonist effects. The purpose of this article is to critically review, in the light of its unique receptor pharmacology, the current clinical literature on the use of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia and mood disorders. There is evidence that aripiprazole is an effective and well tolerated antipsychotic in treating schizophrenia. Now, more recent evidence suggests that aripiprazole may have a role in the treatment of mood disorders. The efficacy side-effect profile of aripiprazole is reviewed herein.