Case Series: Cariprazine for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder
Thanh Thuy Truong, Benjamin Li
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methamphetamine use is a major source of morbidity and mortality but has no reliably effective interventions. We identified cariprazine as an option for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and present two cases. METHODS: Two patients with MUD and psychotic disorders were treated with cariprazine. Abstinence and cravings were assessed using urine drug screens and the Brief Substance Craving Scale, respectively. RESULTS: Both patients reported global functional improvement, reduction in methamphetamine cravings and use with cariprazine, confirmed with negative urine drug screens. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Cariprazine's unique pharmacodynamic profile conveys potential efficacy for MUD. It would be a novel treatment that targets multiple psychiatric symptoms seen in MUD.