Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with the way a person perceives reality. It may include hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking or behavior. These symptoms can vary over time, and some people with schizophrenia may have more severe symptoms than others. Individuals may struggle with daily functioning, and sometimes the condition can be debilitating.
Schizophrenia usually requires lifelong treatment, customized to a person’s needs and symptoms. The sooner a person receives treatment for the condition, the better their long-term outlook may be. These treatments may include:
- Antipsychotic medications, either oral or injectable
- Psychosocial approaches, such as one-on-one therapy or skills training
- Hospitalization for severe episodes
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Unfortunately, this complex disease can be difficult to treat, with different people responding to different treatments. Some medications can cause unwanted side effects.
New developments in schizophrenia treatment, however, may offer more hope for patients and their loved ones.
New schizophrenia medications get FDA approval
The U.S. FDA has approved the drug Uzedy, an extended-release injectable version of risperidone, for adults with schizophrenia. MedinCell and Teva Pharmaceuticals jointly filed for approval of the drug. In a Phase III trial of 544 patients, a one-month regimen of Uzedy reduced the risk of relapse by 80 percent compared with placebo.
Uzedy will soon be available in the United States, with a monthly wholesale cost of $1,232 to $3,080, depending on dosage. Patients can receive injections at intervals of one or two months.
The FDA also recently granted approval to Otsuka and Lundbeck’s injectable schizophrenia drug Abilify Asimtufii. One dose of this drug lasts for two months. The companies say that this extended-release injectable continuously delivers medication and helps maintain therapeutic plasma concentrations.
Potential treatment targets dopamine in a new way
One current theory around schizophrenia is that it is caused by a dysregulated dopamine system. Clozapine, which diminishes dopamine transmission, is one of the most effective antipsychotic drugs for symptoms of schizophrenia. However, it can cause many negative side effects, from sleepiness to diabetes, a recent article from Wired points out.
A newer drug, known as xanomeline-trospium, or KarXT, may fill in some of clozapine’s shortcomings. This drug diminishes dopamine transmission, which reduces schizophrenia symptoms, but it also limits side effects. According to Wired, KarXT targets the brain’s muscarinic acetylcholine system and stimulates parts of neurons to reduce dopamine transmission. A Phase III trial reported in August 2022 found that the drug significantly reduced symptom severity. Biotech company Karuna Therapeutics plans to submit the drug to the FDA later in 2023.
Changing the delivery of a schizophrenia drug
Darryl Eyles, a researcher with the Queensland Brain Institute in Australia, is collaborating with pharmaceutical experts to develop an alternative delivery method for the oral drug clozapine. Delivering the drug through the nose may bypass some of its most unwanted side effects.
The researchers have conducted animal studies that suggest intranasal delivery can concentrate clozapine in the brain at just 3.5 percent of the oral dose. This alternative form of clozapine, known as Sol Gel, is about to enter a clinical trial to test how well patients will tolerate it.
As you stay on top of new research, it’s also important to keep your behavioral health practice compliant with current regulatory and accreditation requirements. BestNotes EHR was built for you, and automatically updates to the latest federal, state, Joint Commission, and CARF requirements. Contact BestNotes today to learn more about how we can help your compliance efforts!