Asenapine

Asenapine is a second-generation, atypical, antipsychotic medication that is known to be effective in the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes for adults and children with bipolar I disorder, and adults with schizophrenia. It is administered as a fast-dissolving, sublingual tablet twice daily. Asenapine is also available as a transdermal system with once daily application. The transdermal formulation is currently approved only for treating adults with schizophrenia. Retrospective reviews of asenapine administration in all age groups suggest that asenapine is a useful psychotropic agent because of its ease of use as a dissolvable sublingual tablet. Pediatric patients diagnosed with severe mixed mood states who require antipsychotic treatment for symptom control may benefit from asenapine as a non-invasive agent; however, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of asenapine as compared to other psychotropic medications in this patient population. Asenapine comes with labeled warnings and contraindications similar to other antipsychotics, especially in the elderly and in patients with comorbid health conditions.