Citation

Carstairs SD, Williams SR. J. Emerg. Med. 2005; 28(3): 311-313.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jemermed.2004.09.013

PMID

15769575

Abstract

Aripiprazole is the first member of a new class of antipsychotic medications. Unlike other antipsychotics, it acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D(2) and 5-HT(1A) receptors, thereby mitigating most of the adverse reactions such as extrapyramidal side effects and hyperprolactinemia. Additionally, most research to date has suggested a low incidence of QTc prolongation and orthostatic hypotension at therapeutic doses. Experience in the setting of intentional overdose, however, is limited. We present a case of a 27-year-old woman who intentionally ingested 330 mg of aripiprazole in a suicide attempt. Clinical effects were limited to mild sedation. Serum levels performed by the drug's manufacturer confirmed a total level (parent drug and active metabolite) of 716 ng/mL, nearly six times the upper limit of accepted therapeutic levels. This suggests that aripiprazole's therapeutic index is quite high and reinforces the drug's known safety profile.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Antipsychotic Agents; Aripiprazole; Drug Overdose; Emergency Medical Services; Female; Humans; Piperazines; Quinolones; Suicide, Attempted