Asenapine(ah sin’ ah peen)
Saphris
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Atypical antipsychotic
Dopamine/serotonin antagonist
Therapeutic Actions
Mechanism of action not fully understood; blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain and depresses the reticular activating system. Suppresses many of the negative aspects of schizophrenia, including blunted affect, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and anger.
Indications
Treatment of schizophrenia in adults
Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults
Adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate for acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with known hypersensitivity to any component of drug, pregnancy, lactation.
Use cautiously in prolonged QT interval, history of seizures, diabetes, suicidal ideation, bone marrow suppression, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, history of CV events.
Available Forms
Sublingual tablets—5, 10 mg
Dosages
Adults
Schizophrenia: 5–10 mg sublingually bid
Bipolar disorder: 5–10 mg sublingually bid; may be decreased to 5 mg/bid if needed
Pediatric patients
Safety and efficacy not established
Patients with hepatic impairment
Not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh C
Pharmacokinetics
|
Metabolism: Hepatic; T1/2: 24 hr
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
