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.