Actor portrayal. Image: Riccardo/pexels.
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Honoring World Mental Health Day |
October 10th marks World Mental Health Day, a global movement designed to raise awareness for mental health issues and support individuals managing complex mental health conditions. Nearly 50 million American adults have personally experienced mental illness, which is equivalent to about 20% of the population.1 While many people may experience mental health concerns, these concerns become a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect one’s ability to function. 2 Examples of mental illnesses include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.2
Increasing awareness of mental health conditions plays a critical role in fostering an inclusive society where mental well-being is prioritized. By maintaining an open dialogue, spreading education, and advocating for mental health patients, people can help drive societal change that makes mental health care more widely accessible. Shedding light on the impact of mental health disorders like bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia can empower those struggling with these complex conditions to recognize their symptoms and seek help from a healthcare professional without fear of judgment.
Understanding Bipolar I Disorder and Schizophrenia
Bipolar I disorder is one of the most common and often severe forms of bipolar disorder, impacting nearly 4.8 million American adults.3,4 Bipolar I disorder is a recurrent, lifelong mood disorder that results in functional and cognitive impairment, and can be characterized by recurrent manic and depressive episodes that may last weeks or even months.5 People living with bipolar I disorder may face periods of unusually intense emotions and changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, all of which can negatively impact an individual's daily life.5
About 2.8 million Americans live with schizophrenia, a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).6,7 People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them, as well as their families and friends.6,8 Symptoms of this illness tend to present in early adulthood, (symptoms must persist for six months in order for a diagnosis to be made) although certain indicators can show up earlier such as troubled relationships, reduced motivation, and struggles in school.8
Treatment Options Available Unfortunately, less than 20% of patients who have a mental disorder receive effective treatment, underlining the importance of educating patients and caregivers about available treatment options and empowering them to speak with their healthcare professionals.9 One potential option for managing bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia is a long-acting injectable, which provides consistent delivery of antipsychotic medication in the body and may provide long-lasting symptom control.10,11
One example of a long-acting injectable is ABILIFY ASIMTUFII® (aripiprazole). In 2023, the FDA approved ABILIFY ASIMTUFII, an extended-release injectable suspension for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and for the maintenance monotherapy treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults. This is the only FDA-approved two-month long-acting injectable for bipolar I disorder.
The efficacy and safety of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is based on the pivotal studies of ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole). ABILIFY MAINTENA is the first and only FDA-approved once-monthly maintenance treatment for bipolar I disorder in adults.Please see IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING for INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA below.
This World Mental Health Day, patients and caregivers can feel empowered to talk to their healthcare providers about their treatment possibilities to find which is the best fit for them. This could include longer-duration dosing options for bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia, such as ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA. To learn more, visit abilifyasimtufii.com.
INDICATIONS and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII® (aripiprazole) and ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole)
INDICATIONS:
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional:
● for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults
● alone as maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults
ABILIFY MAINTENA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional:
● for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults
● alone as maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults
It is not known if ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA increase the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA are not for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis.
Do not receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause serious side effects, including:
● Increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in clinical studies with oral aripiprazole of elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and can lead to death.
● Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS: high fever, confusion, changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure, stiff muscles, and increased sweating.
● Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.
● Problems with your metabolism such as:
o High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetes: Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who are treated with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA, and during treatment.
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA:
▪ feel very thirsty
▪ need to urinate more than usual
▪ feel very hungry
▪ feel weak or tired
▪ feel sick to your stomach
▪ feel confused, or your breath smells fruity
o Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood.
o Weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly during treatment.
● Unusual and uncontrollable (compulsive) urges. Some people receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA have had unusual strong urges, to gamble and gambling that cannot be controlled (compulsive gambling). Other compulsive urges include sexual urges, shopping, and eating or binge eating. If you or your family members notice that you are having unusual urges or behaviors, talk to your healthcare provider.
● Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
● Falls. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause fractures or other injuries
● Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment.
● Seizures (convulsions)
● Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA affects you. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA may make you feel drowsy and affect your judgement, thinking, or motor skills.
● Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Do not become too hot or dehydrated during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
● Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into your lungs.
Do not drink alcohol during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Before receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
● have never taken aripiprazole before
● have or had diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start receiving ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA and during your treatment.
● have or had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, or low levels of HDL cholesterol
● have or had low or high blood pressure
● have or had heart problems or a stroke
● have or had a low white blood cell count
● have or had seizures (convulsions)
● have problems that may affect you receiving an injection in your buttocks (ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA) or arm (ABILIFY MAINTENA)
● are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA, talk to your healthcare provider about the risk to your unborn baby and about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/
● are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicine and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA without talking to your healthcare provider first.
The most common side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA include: weight gain, restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia), injection site pain, or sleepiness (sedation).
It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be signs of a condition called dystonia.
These are not all the possible side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.
You are encouraged to report side effects of ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA.
Please contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1-800-438-9927 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).
Please see FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA, and MEDICATION GUIDE for ABILIFY ASIMTUFII and ABILIFY MAINTENA
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1Mental Health America website. 2022 State of Mental Health in America.
2 Mayo Clinic. Mental Illness Symptoms and Causes.
3 Datto, C., Pottorf, W.J., Feeley, L. et al. Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression. Annals of General Psychiatry.
4Blanco C, Compton WM, Saha TD, et al. Epidemiology of DSM-5 bipolar I disorder: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - III. Journal of Psychiatric Research.
5 The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Bipolar Disorder.
6 Treatment Advocacy Center. Schizophrenia – Fact Sheet.
7 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH. 2022 Schizophrenia.
8 American Psychiatric Association. 2023 What Is Schizophrenia.
9 Talisman, N., Kaltman, S., Davis, K., Sidel, S., Akil, M., Alter, C. (2015). Case Management: A New Approach. Psychiatric Annals.
10 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Long-Acting Injectables (LAIs).
11 Guzman F. Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics: A Practical Guide for Prescribers. Psychopharmacology Institute; London, UK: 2017. |
© 2024 Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Inc. June 2024 09US24EXC0002 |
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