Case Series: Cariprazine for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESMethamphetamine use is a major source of morbidity and mortality but has no reliably effective interventions. We identified cariprazine as an option for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and present two cases. METHODSTwo patients with MUD and psychotic disorders were treated with cariprazine. Abstinence and cravings were assessed using urine drug screens and the Brief Substance Craving Scale, respectively. RESULTSBoth patients reported global functional improvement, reduction in methamphetamine cravings and use with cariprazine, confirmed with negative urine drug screens. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCECariprazine's unique pharmacodynamic profile conveys potential efficacy for MUD. It would be a novel treatment that targets multiple psychiatric symptoms seen in MUD.