Signal of Miscarriage with Aripiprazole: A Disproportionality Analysis of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database

Introduction With recent advances in medicines, many patients with schizophrenia have become able to conceive. One common second-generation antipsychotic given to patients with schizophrenia is aripiprazole. The label information of aripiprazole in Japan states that according to one case report “there is a report of miscarriage in clinical trial”. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between aripiprazole and miscarriage by conducting a disproportionality analysis of an adverse drug event report database. Methods We conducted a disproportionality analysis of second-generation antipsychotic exposure during pregnancy using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database, which is a spontaneous reporting database in Japan. We investigated aripiprazole and other approved second-generation antipsychotics in Japan. In accordance with the previous report, we created a data set for analysis consisting of pregnancy-related reports. Results A potential signal for miscarriage was detected for aripiprazole [proportional reporting ratio: 2.39, χ 2: 13.77, reporting odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.76 (1.62–4.69); n = 18]. In contrast, no potential signal for miscarriage was detected for other second-generation antipsychotics. Conclusion Through our analysis of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database, we found a potential signal for miscarriage for aripiprazole. Safety information on the use of aripiprazole during pregnancy is very limited. Therefore, we suggest that the potential signal detected in our analysis be explored further.