Aripiprazole injections linked to improved adherence in bipolar I disorder

A US insurance-claims study involving 1,467 adults with bipolar I disorder suggests that switching to a bi-monthly aripiprazole injection improves medication adherence. Patients switching from daily pills saw medication coverage rise from 60% to 76%, while those switching from monthly injections saw coverage increase from 56% to 81%. The study also noted a decrease in hospital stays and overall medical costs for these patients.

In related clinical data, the combination medication Lybalvi has shown a significant reduction in acute care visits—including mental health and alcohol use disorder-related events—among patients with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder and comorbid alcohol use disorder. Additionally, long-acting injectable aripiprazole has been noted for providing flexible dosing and stable symptom control.

Researchers noted that mitigating weight gain and metabolic dysfunction, such as through the use of samidorphan in Lybalvi, is associated with better treatment adherence and longer persistence. The aripiprazole study was funded by and included authors from Otsuka and Lundbeck, and it utilized a before-and-after design without a control group.