The antipsychotic drug lumateperone (Caplyta) significantly improves acute schizophrenia symptoms without many of the side effects commonly seen with other currently available antipsychotics, according to the results of a phase 3 clinical trial.
The medication was not linked to the weight gain or metabolic, cardiovascular and motor disturbances associated with other antipsychotic medications.
The announcement by Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc., New York, followed the drug’s approval for use in schizophrenia by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2019.
Lumateperone is also being developed for use in treating agitation associated with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, among other neuropsychiatric disorders, the company reported. At this time, however, “[it] has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective in these other areas,” the company noted in a recent statement.
Results of the current study, “Efficacy and Safety of Lumateperone for Treatment of Schizophrenia,” were published last week in JAMA Psychiatry.
