The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil), an extended-release injection, for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia on Monday.
Aristada, a product of Dublin, Ireland-based biopharmaceutical company Alkermes, is administered by a health care professional every four to six weeks by injection in the arm or buttocks.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder marked by abnormal social behavior and failure to recognize what is real. Common symptoms include false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, auditory hallucinations, reduced social engagement and emotional expression, and lack of motivation.
In 2013, it was estimated 23.6 million people suffered from schizophrenia worldwide.
