FDA Approves Aripiprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablets for the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Disorder

The FDA approved aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets (Abilify Discmelt, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka) for the treatment of schizophrenia, treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, and for maintenance treatment in adults with bipolar I disorder stabilized for ≥6 weeks.

The vanilla-flavored 10 mg and 15 mg tablets rapidly disintegrate upon contact with saliva, eliminating a need for a liquid. This formulation may be helpful for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills and may prevent patients in institutional settings from hiding pills in their mouth before discarding them later. The formulation is bioequivalent to regular aripiprazole tablets and therefore has the same efficacy and safety profile.

For full prescribing information go to: www.abilify.com