Brexpiprazole: A New Treatment Option for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia occurs in approximately 0.3 to 0.7 percent of the world's population and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although atypical antipsychotics reduce positive and negative symptoms, they are associated with varying degrees of metabolic adverse effects. This necessitates continued development of efficacious yet metabolically favorable treatments. This article reviews brexpiprazole, a medication recently approved to treat patients with schizophrenia. Brexpiprazole was well-tolerated, and adverse reactions were statistically insignificant. They included nausea; insomnia; headache; agitation; akathisia; and weight gain or changes in lipid, creatine phosphokinase, glucose, or prolactin levels. Brexpiprazole is taken once daily without regard to food, and the dose should be adjusted in patients who receive moderate or strong CYP450 inhibitors or inducers and in patients with hepatic or renal disease.