title: A review of published evidence reporting on the efficacy and pharmacology of  lurasidone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lurasidone is a benzisothiazol derivative, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the acute treatment of adults with schizophrenia. Lurasidone's binding affinities are highest for the 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(7), and D(2) receptors; with lower and similar binding affinities for the norepinephrine α(2C) and 5-HT(2C) receptor subtypes. It has demonstrated efficacy in fixed-dose studies across a variable dose range (i.e., 40 - 160 mg), with a recommended starting dose of 40 mg and a maximum recommended dose of 80 mg. Lurasidone's preclinical profile is predictive not only of efficacy against psychotic and negative symptoms but also of affective symptomatology and cognitive deficits. Controlled trials are currently underway to evaluate lurasidone's efficacy in bipolar depression as well as its procognitive effects in individuals with schizophrenia. Lurasidone is administered once a day with ≥ 350 calories of food, regardless of fat content. Lurasidone is not known to adversely affect body composition, anthropometrics, metabolic and/or electrocardiographic parameters. Although prolactin elevation might be observed, prolactin-related adverse events are rarely reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper presents the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of lurasidone, and discusses its efficacy, safety and tolerability data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lurasidone's simplicity of use and favorable metabolic profile are distinct advantages relative to several other agents (e.g., olanzapine). Outcomes in cognitive data analyses are awaited to determine if there is a key differentiator between lurasidone and other atypical agents with respect to efficacy. Moreover, lurasidone's efficacy in bipolar depression is awaited to determine whether this agent can be considered as a treatment alternative for depressive symptoms in adults with bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada. roger.mcintyre@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Danielle S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alsuwaidan
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: Alissa M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Jeanette M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jerrell
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D054833:Isoindoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069056:Lurasidone Hydrochloride; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D054833:Isoindoles; D013844:Thiazoles; D000069056:Lurasidone Hydrochloride