Treatment Patterns and Healthcare Resource Utilization Following Initiation of Aripiprazole Lauroxil Using a 1-Day Initiation Regimen

OBJECTIVES: The long-acting injectable aripiprazole lauroxil (AL) initiated using a one-time injection of a NanoCrystal Dispersion formulation of AL (AL_NCD) and a 30 mg oral dose of aripiprazole significantly improved symptoms of schizophrenia in a phase 3 study. The current analysis examined treatment patterns and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) among patients with schizophrenia initiating AL using AL_NCD in the real-world setting.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis used administrative claims data from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. Adult patients with schizophrenia with continuous enrollment ≥6 months before (baseline) and after (follow-up) AL initiation using AL_NCD were eligible. Treatment patterns were evaluated during and after initiation. Inpatient admissions, emergency department (ED) visits, and outpatient visits were compared between baseline and follow-up periods.

RESULTS: Included patients (N=1152) had a mean age of 38.4 years; 36% were female. Most patients received AL 1064 mg (39%) or 882 mg (37%); 90.3% initiated with AL_NCD and their first AL injection on the same day, and 78% received a second AL dose. Proportions of patients with all-cause, mental health (MH)-related, and schizophrenia-related inpatient admissions and ED visits significantly decreased between baseline and follow-up (all P<0.001); the proportion of patients with all-cause, MH-related, or schizophrenia-related outpatient visits did not decrease.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this first real-world study suggest that initiating AL using AL_NCD may result in clinically meaningful reductions in patient burden and healthcare costs, as evidenced by significant declines in HCRU.