title: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled phase 3 trial of fixed-dose brexpiprazole for the treatment of adults with acute schizophrenia.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of brexpiprazole versus placebo in adults with acute schizophrenia. This was a 6-week, multicenter, placebo-controlled double-blind phase 3 study. Patients with acute schizophrenia were randomized to brexpiprazole 1, 2 or 4 mg, or placebo (2:3:3:3) once daily. The primary endpoint was changed from baseline at week 6 in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score; the key secondary endpoint was Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) at week 6. Brexpiprazole 4 mg showed statistically significant improvement versus placebo (treatment difference: -6.47, p=0.0022) for the primary endpoint. Improvement compared with placebo was also seen for the key secondary endpoint (treatment difference: -0.38, p=0.0015), and on multiple secondary efficacy outcomes. Brexpiprazole 1 and 2mg also showed numerical improvements versus placebo, although p>0.05. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, insomnia and agitation; incidences of akathisia were lower in the brexpiprazole treatment groups (4.2%-6.5%) versus placebo (7.1%). Brexpiprazole treatment was associated with moderate weight gain at week 6 (1.23-1.89 kg versus 0.35 kg for placebo); there were no clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters and vital signs. In conclusion, brexpiprazole 4 mg is an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for acute schizophrenia in adults. Clinical Trials.gov NCT01393613; BEACON trial.
authors: The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Psychiatry Research, 75-59 263rd Street, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, USA. Electronic address: JKane2@NSHS.edu.
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Kane
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: Aleksandar.Skuban@otsuka-us.com.
authors: Aleksandar
authors: A
authors: Skuban
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: John.Ouyang@otsuka-us.com.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ouyang
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: Mary.Hobart@otsuka-us.com.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Hobart
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: Stephanie.Pfister@otsuka-us.com.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Pfister
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: Robert.McQuade@otsuka-us.com.
authors: Robert D
authors: RD
authors: McQuade
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: Margaretta.Nyilas@otsuka-us.com.
authors: Margaretta
authors: M
authors: Nyilas
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: William.Carson@otsuka-us.com.
authors: William H
authors: WH
authors: Carson
authors: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Electronic address: Raymond.Sanchez@otsuka-us.com.
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Sanchez
authors: H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark. Electronic address: HERI@lundbeck.com.
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015363:Quinolones; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D013876:Thiophenes; C000591922:brexpiprazole
keywords: Acute; Brexpiprazole; Efficacy; Phase 3 trial; Safety; Schizophrenia