Bristol-Myers Squibb announces launch of Abilify Injection

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced the launch of an injectible form Abilify (aripiprazole) for the treatment of agitation at primary endpoint in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar mania.

The company notes that Abilify Injection enables healthcare professionasl to use a single-dose vial of 1.3ml of the atypical antipsychotic in instances of acute agitation requiring instant assessment and treatment.

Acute agitation is defined as a range of behaviour such as excessive motor or verbal activity, irritability, abuse and threatening behaviour.

Michael H Allen, associate professor at the University of Colorado, said; “Acute agitation can be very serious, distressing and potentially dangerous for patients, healthcare professionals and caregivers.

He added that Abilify Injection can control agitation independently of sedating a patient.

Abilify is a dopamine partial agonist for the treatment of schizophrenia. It can be used for maintaining stability in patients previously symptomatically stable on other antipsychotics for longer than three months.

According to prescription information, patients treated with Abilify Injection who are deemed to require ongoing therapy should move to oral administration of Abilify at the first possible juncture.

Earlier this month, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced the results of a trial showing the efficacy of Abilify for long-term maintenance therapy of patients with Bipolar I disorder subsequent to treatment after a manic or mixed episode.