Clinical Report: Utilization of Brexpiprazole in Inpatient Schizophrenia Management

Overview

This study evaluates the continuation and discontinuation patterns of brexpiprazole in inpatient schizophrenia treatment. It highlights that over half of the patients continued treatment at week 8, with adverse events being the primary reason for discontinuation.

Background

Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of the global population and requires effective management of acute symptoms while planning for long-term treatment. Antipsychotic medications, such as brexpiprazole, are crucial in this context, as they must balance efficacy with tolerability. Understanding real-world prescribing patterns and treatment continuation is essential for improving patient outcomes in acute care settings.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• 53.7% of patients continued brexpiprazole to week 8.
• Continuation was associated with female sex, lower prior chlorpromazine-equivalent dose, and shorter duration of untreated psychosis.
• The most common reason for discontinuation was adverse events, particularly akathisia.
• CGI-S and BPRS scores decreased over time in the continuation group.
• Further studies are needed to clarify brexpiprazole's clinical positioning in real-world practice.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider patient demographics and prior treatment history when prescribing brexpiprazole for schizophrenia. Monitoring for adverse effects, particularly akathisia, is crucial to improve treatment adherence and outcomes.

Conclusion

Brexpiprazole shows promise for managing acute schizophrenia symptoms, but careful monitoring and further research are necessary to optimize its use in inpatient settings.

References

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2. Drugs - Real World Outcomes, 2023 -- Clinical Quality Outcomes After Hospitalization in US Schizophrenia Patients
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4. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of First-Episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia, 2023
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6. Frontiers, 2026 -- Real-World Use of Brexpiprazole During Inpatient Treatment for Schizophrenia
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10. Frontiers | Real-World Use of Brexpiprazole During Inpatient Treatment for Schizophrenia: Continuation, Discontinuation, and Concomitant Psychotropics