Serum levels of aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole, clinical response and side effects

Aripiprazole, a novel antipsychotic drug, is metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 forming mainly its active metabolite dehydroaripiprazole. In this study, aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole serum levels of psychiatric patients were measured and related to dose, comedication, and clinical effects including therapeutic and side effects. Patients were treated with mean doses of 20±8 mg/day of aripiprazole (median 15 mg, range 7.5-60 mg). Serum levels correlated significantly with the dose (r=0.419; P