Азенапин

A new antipsychotic drug, asenapine, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the acute treatment of schizophrenia and manic or mixed episode in bipolar I disorder in adults.

Similar to other second-generation antipsychotics, asenapine is an antagonist of the serotonin 5HT2 and dopamine D2 receptors.

In the long-term schizophrenia trial, three of the 908 patients (0.3 percent) treated with asenapine had a QTc interval increase from baseline of greater than 60 msec. None had a QTc interval increase of 500 msec or more.

Asenapine is formulated as sublingual tablets to optimize its bioavailability upon absorption, since the drug is extensively metabolized in the liver. The tablet should not be swallowed. The approved dosage for acute schizophrenia treatment is 5 mg twice daily. The dosage for bipolar I disorder is to start with 10 mg twice daily with the option of decreasing to 5 mg twice daily if the patient experiences adverse effects.

Asenapine Adds to Arsenal to Treat Psychotic Disorders