Aripiprazole and Adherence to Antipsychotic Treatment Plans
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
The percentage of patients who fail to adhere to treatment plans involving antipsychotics is extremely high. Non-adherence is primarily caused by patients stopping their antipsychotic medications because of their associated side effects. Non-adherence to treatment plans can trigger many problems for patients, including illness relapse and re-hospitalization. Many healthcare professionals have a suboptimal working knowledge of antipsychotic medication side effects, and this lack of knowledge may compromise patient care. Healthcare professionals may assist patients in mitigating common side effects to reduce non-adherence. One option is the selection of aripiprazole as the antipsychotic treatment choice. Aripiprazole can have a more favorable profile regarding side effects generally seen with antipsychotics, which could lead to better patient adherence to treatment plans.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the basic indications of aripiprazole treatment
- List the different aripiprazole dosage forms and dosing frequencies
- Discuss essential psychiatric assessment specific to aripiprazole
- Identify the potential side effects of antipsychotics, including aripiprazole
- Outline strategies to mitigate common side effects to reduce non-adherence
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Antipsychotics and Non-adherence to Treatment Plans
III. History of Aripiprazole
IV. Clinical Pharmacology
1. Mechanism of Action
2. Pharmacokinetics
V. Labeled and Off-labeled Uses
1. Labeled Uses
2. Off-label Uses
VI. Dosage and Administration
1. Labeled Uses
2. Dosage Forms and Strengths
3. Administration
VII. Contraindications
VIII. Warnings
IX. Adverse Reactions
X. Adverse Reaction Case Report
XI. Drug Interactions
XII. Specific Populations
1. Pregnancy
2. Lactation
3. Pediatric
4. Geriatric
5. Renal Impairment
6. Hepatic Impairment
XIII. Clinical Studies
1. Bipolar I Disorder
2. Major Depressive Disorder
3. Schizophrenia
4. Autistic Disorder
5. Tourette Syndrome
6. Suicidal Ideation
7. Dementia-Related Psychosis
XIV. Look-alike/Sound-alike Concerns
XV. Storage and Handling
XVI. Patient Counseling
XVII. Case Study
XVIII. Summary
From May 26, 2023 through May 26, 2026, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in the development of this activity: Anna S. Smith, MPH, BSN-RN, Amanda Mayer, PharmD, Yasmine S. Ali, MD, Jeff Goldberg, PharmD, BCPP, and Pamela M. Sardo, PharmD, B.S. Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS, was an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals until March 2022 and has no conflicts of interest or relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.