Pre-acceptance study of bi-monthly Aripiprazole in clinically stable patients

Introduction Aripiprazole monthly (Ar1M) has been the first long-acting injectable (LAI) partial agonist antipsychotic. The benefits of long-acting injectables in terms of relapse reduction are well known. Objectives The aim of this study is to assess the level of acceptance and the doubts presented by patients before switching to 2-monthly Aripiprazole (Ar2M). Methods 25 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders in symptomatic remission were asked consecutively whether they would switch to the new bimonthly formulation of aripiprazole and the doubts expressed were collected. Results The sample is composed of 25 patients (12 women and 13 men). The mean age is 52.64 years. All are being treated with Ar1M with a mean dose of 408 mg/monthly. Most of the patients present a diagnosis of affective psychosis (N=12 (42%)), 36% a non-affective psychosis (N=9) and 16% a delusional disorder (N=4). Presenting an average of 3.8 previous admissions. Acceptance was mostly positive, with an initial acceptance rate of 76 % (N=19). Twelve percent (N=3) did not initially want the treatment. Another 12% had doubts and preferred to postpone the decision. 20% of the patients had doubts, related to possible appearance of side effects. 75% of the patients who do not want the treatment have doubts, as do the patients who prefer to wait. Of the patients who initially accepted the treatment, only 1 expressed doubts about it. Conclusions The level of acceptance of Ar2M is very high, exceeding 75%. Of the doubts expressed about the possible change, the appearance of side effects is a matter of concern. Given the high level of acceptance, the treatment proposal is important given the wide-ranging benefits it can bring to patients. The clarification of doubts and the successive proposals of the treatment can contribute to a greater acceptance. Disclosure of Interest None Declared