Asenapine : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Asenapine is a second-generation atypical antipsychotic drug, used in treating schizophrenia. It is also used alone or along with lithium or valproate to treat acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder (manic-depression). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Dose : 2.5-10 mg (Sublingual)
Route : Oral, Sublingual
Plasma Half-life : 24 hours
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : 35% (sublingual), <2% (Oral)
Chemical formula : C17H16ClNO
IUPAC name : (3aRS,12bRS)-rel-5-Chloro-2,3,3a,12b-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1H-dibenz[2,3:6,7]oxepino[4,5-c]pyrrole
Trade name : Saphris, Sycrest
Therapeutic uses : Olanzapine has following usage :
- Primarily indicated as anti-psychotic drug for treating psychoses particularly Schizophrenia (generally first-line therapy).
- Indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
- Can be used as tranquilizers to manage agitated and disruptive behavior secondary to other disorders.
- May be used for Organic brain syndromes on a short-term basis.
- Rare indications includes Alcoholic hallucinosis, Huntington’s disease and Gilles de Ia Tourette’s syndrome.
Side effects : Adverse effects of the Asenapine can occur in practically all patients and are significant in about 80% ; Asenapine may produce following side effects:
- CNS ailments like Sedation, drowsiness, lethargy, mental confusion, increased appetite, weight gain, aggravation of seizures,
- CVS effects including Postural (orthostatic) hypotension, palpitation, inhibition of ejaculation,
- Anticholinergic effects such as Dry mouth, blurring of vision, constipation, urinary incontinence
- Hyperprolactinemia – amenorrhoea, infertility, galactorrhoea and gynaecomastia
- Rarely Extrapyramidal disturbances (extrapyramidal symptoms EPS) such as Parkinsonism, Acute muscular dystonias, Akathisia, Malignant neuroleptic syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia.
Warnings :
- Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis:
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Asenapine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Contraindications :
- It should be used cautiously in patients with seizure disorders (since it may lower the seizure threshold)or those with an increased risk for seizures, such as withdrawal from alcohol.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
