The increasing use of atypical antipsychotics for diverse patient populations is shown by the recent introduction in the US of a low-dose (2 mg) tablet and a nonrefrigerated oral solution of aripiprazole.

The 2 mg tablet allows physicians who use the only dopamine partial agonist on the market to titrate patients more precisely to an effective dose. The nonrefrigerated oral solution allows greater convenience for adults who are unable to swallow or have difficulty swallowing tablets.

"The availability of the aripiprazole 2 mg tablet is important for physicians because it allows us to better meet the specific dosing needs of adults with schizophrenia or Bipolar I Disorder," said John Zajecka, MD, Director, Treatment Research Center, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center.

"The nonrefrigerated oral solution gives physicians another choice when prescribing aripiprazole, which allows for more convenience and flexibility for adult patients."