Abilify approved to study in children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the study of antipsychotic drug Abilify (aripiprazole) for the treatment of manic and mixed episodes due to bipolar I disorder in children ages 10 to 17. Abilify is already used to treat bipolar disease in adults.

Abilify was discovered by Japan-based Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., which has an agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. to co-promote the drug in the US until 2012. The Supplemental New Drug Application reflects an increased off-label use of the drug in older children for behavioral issues.