Study results suggest B-MS/Ostuka's Abilify is safe for long-term schizophrenia combination therapy

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals' Abilify (aripiprazole), in combination with lithium or valproate, is safe as a long-term  treatment for patients with bipolar I disorder who are partially  non-responsive to lithium or valproate alone, according to data  presented at the annual congress for the World Psychiatric Association  held in Florence, Italy.

The results were from a six-week multicenter, double-blind, randomized,  placebo-controlled study involving 348 patients, followed by a 46-week,  open-label, 283-patient extension phase. The extension data showed that  the regimen was well-tolerated with no new or unexpected adverse side  effects.