The effectiveness of long-term aripiprazole injections to a patient with paranoid schizophrenia: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Paranoid schizophrenia is a chronic, psychotic disorder which can be treated with long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic drugs. There are risperidone (Risperdal Consta®), olanzapine (Zypadhera®), paliperidone (Xepilon®) and aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena®) currently available. The aim of this study was to present a case history of the patient to whom monthly injections of aripiprazole effectively prevented both relapses of psychotic symptoms and hospitalizations. Case report: A 55-year-old male patient with a 13-year history of paranoid schizophrenia has been effectively treated with aripiprazole (LAI) (400mg, every 4 weeks). During the last 8 years of treatment his mental state has been stabilized, without any acute psychotic symptoms and without any anxiety, or violent behaviours. Moreover, there have been no psychotic symptoms, or suicidal thoughts, or tendencies recordered. Therefore, no hospitalization has been required. However, despite the treatment, negative symptoms such as blunted affect, cognitive dysfunction and social withdrawal have been sustained. Discussion: The available articles on aripiprazole (LAI) treatment indicate that it was effective in reducing the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as reducing the frequency and duration of hospitalization. However, the case report of a patient who has not had relapses of psychotic symptoms and suicidal thoughts and has not been hospitalized during 8 years of treatment with aripiprazole (LAI) has not yet been reported. Conclusions: Regular, long-term injections of aripiprazole (LAI) are very effective at preventing positive symptoms of schizophrenia development and preventing both suicidal thoughts and hospitalizations. Therefore, treatment with this drug in everyday practice should be increased.