Recent Approaches to the Synthesis of Aripiprazole – A New Generation Antypsychotic Drug

Aripiprazole is the first next generation atypical antypsychotic drug destined for treatment of schizophrenia. Originally discovered by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., the compound was jointly developed by Otsuka and Bristol Myers Squibb and was first marketed in the USA in 2002 under the trade name Abilify. The value of sales of Abilify preparations in the world in the years 2009 and 2010 was 6522.94 and 6742.51 million USD, which provided the aripiprazole, manufactured by Otsuka company, third and second place respectively in the Top50 list of drugs acting on the central nervous system. This review presents the currently known methods of aripiprazole manufacturing, both from the point of view of its synthesis and the possibility of formation of polymorphs, solvates, salts, co-crystals and amorphous solids. Keywords: Amorphous solids, antypsychotic drugs, aripiprazole, arylpiperazines, co-crystals, polymorphs, salts, schizophrenia, solvates.