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Cariprazine for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Lillian Jan Findlay1, Peggy L El-Mallakh2, Rif S El-Mallakh3
1Lillian Jan Findlay, PhD, is Assistant Professor, and Coordinator, Psychiatric Mental Health Academic Program, School of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Purpose:
To review the data regarding a new antipsychotic, cariprazine.
Conclusions:
Cariprazine is a dopamine D3, D2 partial agonist, with greater affinity to D3. It has been examined for schizophrenia, bipolar mania, bipolar depression, and unipolar depression. It has demonstrated efficacy in schizophrenia and mania, and has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, it has a more inconsistent effect in depression, both unipolar and bipolar. Adverse effects include extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, and gastrointestinal distress.
Practice Implications:
Cariprazine will be a promising addition in the treatment of patients with acute mania and schizophrenia.
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Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
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Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
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