(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a first-of-its-kind patch for schizophrenia.
This approval may be a game-changer because it's meant to help those who have schizophrenia overcome some of the challenges they may face.
This newly approved patch can be found under the brand name (Secuado) and active ingredient (asenapine). The FDA approved it to treat adults with schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes tied to bipolar I disorder. This patch is to be applied once a day.
Asenapine is currently on the market as a tablet that is placed under the tongue. The FDA approved the tablet in 2009.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder. Those with schizophrenia may experience the following:
- Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there)
- Delusions (beliefs that are untrue)
- Trouble organizing thoughts
- Trouble expressing emotions
Asenapine is meant to help with these symptoms. The FDA approved this drug after it was shown to be safe and effective in a phase III trial.
Common side effects may include tardive dyskinesia, reactions at the application site and weight gain. Like other medications in its class, Secuado holds a boxed warning (the strongest type of medication warning). This warning details an increased risk of death in elderly patients who have dementia-related psychosis and are treated with this medication.
This approval was granted to Noven Pharmaceuticals.
Written by Anyssa Garza, PharmD, BCMAS
