Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic with a unique pharmacological profile: partial agonist for dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HTTA and antagonist for 5-HT2A receptors. Moreover, it also exhibits affinity for dopamine D4, serotonin 5-HT2C and 5-HT7, alpha 1 adrenergic, and histamine HI receptors (Burstein et al., 2005; Davies, Sheffler, Roth, 2004; Jordan et al., 2002; Lawler et al, 1999; Shapiro et al., 2003). Compared with other atypical antipsychotics, aripiprazole is known to have fewer adverse effects, particularly QTc prolongation, weight gain, and dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, sedation, and prolactin elevation. However, common side effects are represented by headache, tremor, akathisia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, somnolence, dyspepsia, and insomnia (DeLeon, Patel, Crismon, 2004; Kinghorn McEvoy, 2005; Leucht et al., 2013). In the clinical practice, aripiprazole is prescribed for psychosis, bipolar disorder, adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, irritability, and behavioral problems associated with autism spectrum disorder.
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