Aripiprazol - Führt ein neuer wirkungsmechanismus zu einer neuen qualität in der schizophrenie-therapie?

Aripiprazole is a new antipsychotic drug with a new mode of action in the treatment of schizophrenic psychoses. It acts via dopamine-D₂ and serotonin-5-HT_1A receptors as a partial agonist and shows blocking actions against 5-HT_2A receptors. Its unique mode of action as a dopamine-serotonin stabilizer makes aripiprazole a welcome addition to presently available neuroleptics. The effectiveness and high tolerability of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenic psychoses was proven in numerous preclinical and clinical studies. Experience to present has shown that negative symptoms can be positively influenced. It has also shown to be effective in the treatment of depressive symptoms that present in the course of schizophrenic psychoses. Extra-pyramidal side-effects were seen only slightly more often than under placebo conditions. Prolactin levels dropped on average.