antidepressant + aripiprazole

This is a combination therapy consisting of an antidepressant (such as an SSRI or SNRI) and aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic. The combination is used primarily for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), especially in patients who have not responded adequately to antidepressant monotherapy. Aripiprazole acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, and as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, thereby modulating neurotransmitter activity involved in mood regulation. The addition of aripiprazole to standard antidepressants has been shown in multiple randomized controlled trials to improve remission rates compared to switching or combining other antidepressants alone[3][7]. This strategy is FDA-approved for adjunctive treatment of MDD in adults[7]. The specific choice of the antidepressant can vary; commonly used agents include SSRIs such as fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, or SNRIs.

Brand names

Abilify + antidepressant

Other names

aripiprazole + ADT