Asenapine: a clinical overview.
Asenapine is a new, second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic medication with demonstrated efficacy for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. It is administered as sublingual tablets in doses of 5 or 10 mg bid. It is well tolerated, with a dropout rate for adverse events similar to that of placebo. Asenapine is associated with a mean weight gain of less than 1 kg over a year and a relatively neutral effect on lipid and glucose levels. It can cause sedation and mild extrapyramidal side effects. Asenapine has a broad receptor affinity profile for most serotonergic, dopaminergic, and adrenergic receptors, with no appreciable affinity for muscarinic receptors. Asenapine may be a helpful treatment option for patients with schizophrenia when weight gain, dyslipidemia, and endocrine abnormalities are a concern.
Department of Psychiatry, UCI Brain Imaging Center, University of California-Irvine, 5251 California Avenue, Irvine, CA, USA. sgpotkin@uci.edu
Steven G
SG
Potkin
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000139:chemically induced; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; C522667:asenapine