How Aristada Is Administered
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is given as a long-acting intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional only. It comes in pre-filled syringes of 441 mg, 662 mg, 882 mg, or 1064 mg strengths, injected deep into the gluteal or deltoid muscle. Dosage depends on treatment response: typically 662 mg monthly, 882 mg every 4-6 weeks, or 1064 mg monthly. The first dose requires an oral aripiprazole starter pack for 21 days to cover activation time.[1][2]
Initial Dosing Steps
Treatment starts with a single Aristada injection plus three daily oral aripiprazole doses (days 1, 8, 15) or one oral dose on day 1 plus one Aristada Initio (675 mg) injection. This ensures therapeutic levels since Aristada converts to active aripiprazole over 3 weeks. Do not start without this oral overlap.[1][3]
Dosing Schedules by Strength
- 441 mg: Every month in deltoid (for lower body weight patients).
- 662 mg: Monthly, deltoid or gluteal.
- 882 mg: Every 4 weeks (deltoid/gluteal) or 5-6 weeks (gluteal only).
- 1064 mg: Monthly, gluteal only.
Adjust based on tolerability; maximum is one injection per interval. Rotate sites to avoid irritation.[1][2]
Injection Sites and Technique
Deltoid for smaller doses (up to 882 mg in some cases); gluteal for all, preferred for higher volumes. Use a 1- or 2-inch needle (20-21 gauge), aspirate to check for blood, inject slowly over 10-15 seconds. Refrigerate syringes but warm to room temperature before use; shake vigorously for 30 seconds.[2][4]
What Happens If a Dose Is Missed
Administer as soon as possible, then resume schedule. If delayed over 6 weeks from last gluteal dose (or 4-5 weeks for deltoid), restart with oral aripiprazole overlap. Monitor for relapse.[1]
Common Administration Concerns
Patients report gluteal injections as more painful than deltoid; ice packs help. No self-administration—requires clinic visit. Avoid alcohol or deltoid if shoulder issues exist.[3][5]
[1]: Aristada Prescribing Information (Alkermes)
[2]: Drugs.com - Aristada Dosing
[3]: FDA Label for Aristada
[4]: Nursing Guidelines for Aristada (Medscape)
[5]: Patient Reviews on Administration (Drugs.com)