Objectives
To review the major findings of clinical research on the pharmacokinetics, therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of asenapine as a treatment for manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia.
Methods
Relevant clinical studies and review articles on asenapine were found using the text- and keyword-search term asenapine alone and in combination with bipolar disorder, manic episode, mixed episode and schizophrenia.
Results
Manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia are a medical emergency that requires prompt pharmacological intervention to relieve patient distress and to prevent harm to self or others. Current guidelines for the management of manic and mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder recommend intervention with antipsychotic agents. Asenapine demonstrated efficacy in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder (manic and mixed episodes), and resulted associated with a low risk for extrapyramidal symptoms, adverse cardiac effects, hyperprolactinemia and adverse metabolic effects.
Conclusions
Asenapine is an effective treatment for manic and mixed episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia and is characterized by a relatively favorable tolerability profile.