The use of Aripiprazole with the sensor involves carrying out the following procedures:
- Healthcare Provider Prescription: A suitable dose of Aripiprazole (oral with sensor) may be prescribed by a healthcare provider depending on the patient’s clinical state. It is essential that the patient and the health provider agree on the appropriateness of the treatment for their specific case, however.
- Taking of the Oral Pill: The patient consumes the prescribed Aripiprazole pill – a pill that contains both the drug and the sensor, and is usually taken after every twenty-four hours.
- Application of the Patch: A very small adhesive patch, which helps in monitoring the medication, is applied on the skin, usually the upper body. The patch contains a Bluetooth enabled device that interfaces with a smartphone application.
- Adhering to the Medication: A signal is transmitted from the tablet to the device integrated in the patch which then relays the signal to the device running the app. The app will also check the intake of the medication by the patient as well as adherence in general and give a status about it.
Aripiprazole works as an antipsychotic drug, which is pharmacodynamic pillar of the brain.
Its principle action is directed towards the stabilisation of the levels of certain neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) which tend to be in excess or deficit. Aripiprazole has an agonistic effect on the dopamine (D2)
and the serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors. This means that activations of these receptors are produced, although to a far less degree than the respective natural neurotransmitters.
This is useful in the treatment of psychosis along with mood stabilizers as in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder respectively.
How the sensor works:
- Sensor Activation: Following the dental ingestion of the Aripiprazole tablet, stomach acid action activates a small, thence swallowable sensor.
- Sensor Data Transmission: The sensor relays data to a patch that is adhered on the patient. The patch relays the information to a smartphone application.
- Medication Compliance Monitoring: The application provides a time stamp as to when the patient took the drug, enabling the patient and the physician to monitor
- Movements are impacted: stasis, cortical tremor or even images of dyskinesia – unintentional limb or facial activity.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): This syndrome is extremely rare however it is also extremely dangerous where a high body temperature, muscle stiffness, and altered state of mind are observed.
- Thoughts of suicide: as do others of the class, aripiprazole can tend to increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in young adults or children.
- Endocrine functions: In long term treatment overweight, blood sugar fluctuations, or increase of lipid profiles may happen.
Side Effects of the Patch:
- Patch site discomfort: A few patients may feel light discomfort at the site of the patch but this is usually mild.
- Patch malfunctions: In some instances, the patch may either fail to turn on, or the app may not connect to the patch at all. Should this happen, the patient should contact their physician.
Prior to comming to terms with the use of Aripiprazole (oral with sensor), there is a need to assess pre existing health conditions or medications with the health care provider:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: As an example Aripiprazole is a drug which belongs to category C for in pregnant women, It should only be used if the gains outweigh the risks. It is not clear if Aripiprazole is excreted in human breast milk, Therefore talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, and especially if you are nursing.
- Ariel which is lucid: as appropriate, use aripiprazole in pregnancy and breastfeeding squeeze the liver and kidneys.
Aripiprazole is metabolized by the liver and an alteration in the state of the liver may compromise the metabolism of this drug. Most patients suffering from liver illness or renal disorders will require dose adjustments and closer supervision.
The oral formulation sensor-equipped Aripiprazole is intended to detect adherence to the dosed regimen. The sensor integrated into the tablet transmits data to a smartphone or device, allowing healthcare professionals and patients to determine when doses are taken as recommended.
This does not have any impact on pharmacokinetics or drug interactions; however, it does supply a useful tool for observing medication adherence.
Drug Interactions:
CYP450 Enzyme Interactions: Aripiprazole oral with sensor is primarily metabolized through the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes.
It can interact with other drugs through either a CYP3A4 inhibitor (ketoconazole, clarithromycin) or CYP2D6 inhibitor (fluoxetine, paroxetine) to increase the plasma level of Aripiprazole to a point where the side effects are increased, including sedation or extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
CYP3A4 Inducers (such as carbamazepine, rifampin) can lower plasma levels of Aripiprazole and diminish its therapeutic effect. The use of such drugs together may require dosage adjustments.
Interaction with Other CNS Depressants:
Additive sedative effect with CNS depressants (such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids). This is not unique to the sensor version of Aripiprazole; however, the oral formulation with sensor should still be monitored for excess sedation, especially when the patient is concurrently on medications that affect the central nervous system.
In almost all cases, the Aripiprazole (oral with sensor) dosage is similar to that of the oral Aripiprazole.
- Schizophrenia: Usually, the initial dosage is 10–15 mg. Increase is allowed depending on response and tolerance, but 10–30 mg is the standard therapeutic range.
- Bipolar disorder: For adults who are willing to accept it, the recommended daily intake usually commences at 15 mg but may be advanced to 30 mg as per the clinical outcome.
Aripiprazole (oral with sensor) is a medication that is available only through prescription from a qualified practitioner. The clinician will make an evaluation of the patient’s state and when there are possible reasons not to use the drug. This system will also make it necessary for a nurse to provide instructions for the use and monitoring of the sensor and patch system.