A systematic literature search and review from Italy has found that benefits of aripiprazole for women with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder appear to outweigh the drug’s risks during pregnancy and lactation. The authors evaluated 93 items published in a period ranging from 1995 to 2017 regarding the safety of aripiprazole during pregnancy, peripartum, and lactation. Item analyzed included relatively large prospective studies, large database studies, and several case reports describing the use of aripiprazole during pregnancy. There were no randomized placebo-controlled trials or studies identified. Analysis of the data show that the benefits of aripiprazole for women with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia appear to outweigh the drug’s risks during pregnancy and lactation. There had previously been limited data on the safety of aripiprazole use during pregnancy. Data safety literature concerning SGA is still insufficient, with clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone being the most-studied medications. However, published data do not provide definitive evidence about aripiprazole safety during pregnancy, peripartum, and lactation period.
Reference
Cuomo A, Goracci A, Fagiolini A. Aripiprazole use during pregnancy, peripartum and lactation. A systematic literature search and review to inform clinical practice. J Affect Disord. Epub ahead of print. Abstract.
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