Aripiprazole inaugurates a new generation of
antipsychotics called
dopamine-
serotonin system stabilizers. Its mechanism of action is different as
aripiprazole is a partial
dopamine D2 and
serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist and
5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Therefore,
aripiprazole is thought to have an antagonistic action in the mesolimbic pathway but an agonistic action in the mesocortical pathway, tending to normalize the dopaminergic transmission regardless of the type of imbalance. Clinical trials involving children and adolescents have demonstrated the efficacy of
aripiprazole in
bipolar disorders,
schizophrenia,
mood disorders associated with pervasive developmental disorders, in
tics and Tourette's. The most frequent side effects are extrapyramidal symptoms and
sleepiness and are dose-dependant. Nevertheless, contrary to other second-generation
antipsychotics available in France, it induces little
weight gain, does not modify
lipid and glucidic profiles, does not increase
prolactin levels, or induce QTc lengthening. The main advantage of
aripiprazole is its good safety profile, with different toxicity targets to other secondgeneration
antipsychotics available in France.
Aripiprazole appears to be an alternative for children and adolescents who are vulnerable to these side effects and are having trouble coping with them.