Bristol-Myers Squibb Company's schizophrenia drug Abilify (aripiprazole) will be available in two formulations - a 2 mg tablet strength and a non-refrigerated oral solution.
The Abilify 2 mg tablet equips physicians with additional dosage strength to help them titrate patients to an effective dose. The non-refrigerated oral solution formulation allows greater convenience for adults who are unable to swallow or have difficulty swallowing tablets.
Abilify is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorders, and for maintaining efficacy in adults with bipolar I disorder with a recent manic or mixed episode, who had been stabilised and then maintained for at least six weeks. Abilify is the first and only available dopamine partial agonist, according to the company release.
Bristol-Myers is partnering with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. of Japan to develop and commercialise the drug in the US and Europe.