Asenapine

Course Summary

Asenapine is a second-generation, atypical, antipsychotic medication that is known to be effective in the treatment of bipolar 1 disorder and schizophrenia. The pharmacological profile and labeled uses and administration of asenapine make it a unique antipsychotic drug of choice in emergency psychiatry cases, the pediatric population and for the maintenance treatment of mixed mood states. Individuals experiencing a manic episode are often treated with benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, although the specific effects of antipsychotics on hostility and aggression in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have received special attention by emergency clinicians. Asenapine is a non-invasive, fast-dissolving sublingual tablet. Clinical trials have used drug rating scales to help determine how well asenapine treats patient hostility and agitation during a manic or mixed episode.