The use of arypiprazole in pregnant women

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The article describes a case study of the administration of aripiprazole, a second- generatiotion antypsychotic in a pregnant woman. Due to the relatively short time of application, the knowledge about the potential side effects for the fetus development is limited, which is the main reason for its avoidance in the treatment of pregnant women.

CASE PRESENTATION: The case of 34 years old woman with paranoid schizophrenia treated since 2007 has been described. In the psychopatological picture dominated: delusions of reference, persecutory delusions, social withdrawal, obsessions and compulsions. In 2009 the patient became pregnant. The drugs were discontinued, which resulted in an increase in the severity of delusions. Limited concentration, obsessions and psychotic anxiety prevented from professional activity. After the delivery, administration of aripiprazole resulted in improvement of the mental status. Persistent delusions did not have the impact on behaviour procedeed with partial judgment. In 2014 the patient got pregnat for the second time. Because of the previous severe course of the disease, the treatment was maintained. Te patient’s mental status was balanced, psychotic disorders did not occur, negative symptoms of schizophrenia were not observed. After the natural childbirth, lactation delay and productive symptoms were observed. The latter symptom caused the need to increase the dose of the aripiprazole.

CONCLUSIONS: Aripiprazole turned out to be a good choice for a pregnant woman, she was free of psychotic sensations and accompanying anxiety. It beneficially affected the mental state during the pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium. Three weeks after the delivery, it was necessary to increase the dosage of the drug, as the psychotic induced anxiety occured. These disorders subsided after increasing the dosage of the drug.