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Aripiprazole Augmentation
Aripiprazole augmentation enhances the efficacy of antidepressants by acting as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, improving mood regulation in treatment-resistant depression.
Aripiprazole augmentation enhances the efficacy of antidepressants by acting as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, improving mood regulation in treatment-resistant depression. Used for Augmentation therapy for major depressive disorder in patients with inadequate response to antidepressants, Treatment-resistant depression.
At a glance
| Generic name | Aripiprazole Augmentation |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Abilify |
| Sponsor | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health |
| Drug class | Atypical antipsychotic / dopamine partial agonist |
| Target | D2 dopamine receptor, 5-HT1A serotonin receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Mental Health |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Aripiprazole is added to existing antidepressant therapy to potentiate antidepressant effects through dopaminergic and serotonergic modulation. As a partial D2 agonist, it can stabilize dopamine signaling, while its 5-HT1A partial agonist activity complements SSRI/SNRI mechanisms. This augmentation strategy is particularly used in patients with inadequate response to antidepressants alone.
Approved indications
- Augmentation therapy for major depressive disorder in patients with inadequate response to antidepressants
- Treatment-resistant depression
Common side effects
- Akathisia
- Weight gain
- Tremor
- Sedation
- Nausea
- Headache
Key clinical trials
- Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Adolescent Depression (STAR-AD) (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Neurobiological Mechanisms of Pathological Rumination and Effects of Aripiprazole (NA)
- Maternal And Infant Antipsychotic Study
- Clemastine for Improving White Matter and Boosting Antidepressant Response in Late-life Depression (PHASE2)
- Switching Medication and Augmentation Strategies for SSRI-Resistant Adolescent Depression（SMART-I) (PHASE4)
- Pragmatic Trial of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (PHASE2)
- Personalized Indications for CBT and Antidepressants in Treating Depression (PHASE4)
- RCT of Brain Longitudinal Biomarker Study (OPT-Neuro RCT) (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Aripiprazole Augmentation CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Aripiprazole Augmentation updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health portfolio CI