Pimavanserin in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Pimavanserin is an atypical antipsychotic entering Phase III trials in December 2009. The second stage of trials focused on the drug's safety and effectiveness in schizophrenia, and the manufacturer, Biovail Corporation, announced in October 2009 that they intended to "bring this novel therapeutic to market as quickly as possible."

Description

• People with schizophrenia often suffer from troubling symptoms such as hallucinations.

  Pimavanserin is a once-a-day tablet that may help reduce symptoms of schizophrenia, such as paranoia, delusions and hallucinations.

Action

• Antipsychotics help reduce schizophrenia symptoms by acting on neurotransmitters.

  According to an industry-sponsored study published in the August 2007 issue of "The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics," pimavanserin acts on the 5-HT2A neurotransmitter (a messenger between brain cells), without blocking the D2 neurotransmitter, suggesting it might not cause D2-related side effects like movement disorders.

Use

• Pimavanserin is used along with other antipsychotic medications.

  In Phase II trials, pimavanserin was tested in combination with other antipsychotics--first with haloperidol, then with risperidone.

Benefits

• Pimavanserin may boost other medications' effectiveness.

  According to Atheir Abbas and Bryan Roth, in the December 2008 issue of "Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy," when pimavanserin was taken with another antipsychotic, it reduced side effects and allowed patients to take less of the other drug.

Risks

• Drug side effects may emerge during treatment.

  During clinical trials, no serious treatment-related adverse effects emerged. However, according to the University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, trials only measure risks that are life-threatening, or result in death, hospitalization, disability or birth defects.