Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Orally Disintegrating Tablets (Abilify Discmelt)

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka have announced the US launch of aripiprazole orally disintegrating tablets (Abilify Discmelt) for the treatment of schizophrenia or manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

The product is bioequivalent to Abilify oral tablets and provides similar efficacy and safety at the same doses. Abilify Discmelt is available as 10 mg and 15 mg tablets.

Some adults with schizophrenia or bipolar mania may have difficulty swallowing tablets or, in institutional settings, may hide pills inside their cheek to later spit them out. ABILIFY DISCMELT tablets are placed on the tongue and disintegrate rapidly upon contact with saliva, providing the convenience of a tablet without the need for liquid.

Aripiprazole, a quinolinone derivative that acts as a postsynaptic dopamine D2 antagonist and a presynaptic dopamine D2 autoreceptor partial agonist, is marketed in most countries worldwide, including the USA, for the treatment of schizophrenia, acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, and for maintaining efficacy in adults with bipolar I disorder with a recent manic or mixed episode.

Detailed information on the drug is available via the following PDF:

Abilify Discmelt PDF - doctor's information sheet (pdf document)