Asenapine Use in Antipsychotic Care
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Asenapine is a second-generation, atypical antipsychotic medication. Its labeled uses include treating adults with schizophrenia and adults and children (age 10-17) with bipolar I disorder. Asenapine comes with labeled warnings and contraindications similar to other antipsychotics. This course discusses asenapine’s indications, pharmacological profile, mechanism of action, dosing, and labeled warnings and contraindications. This clinical knowledge helps promote safe prescribing, improve patient monitoring, prevent adverse outcomes, and support regulatory compliance, thereby optimizing therapeutic benefits and minimizing risks when prescribing asenapine.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the basic pharmacological profile, use, and clinical outcomes of asenapine treatment
- Identify the dosing and uses for asenapine
- Compare the benefits and risks of asenapine use for patients with chronic mental illness compared to other antipsychotics
- Identify the contraindications and potential side effects of asenapine
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Pharmacological Profile
A. Mechanism of Action
B. Contraindications
C. Doses and Formulations
D. Schizophrenia and Asenapine as a Treatment Option
E. Bipolar I Disorder and Asenapine as a Treatment Option
F. Dosing Adjustments
G. Drug-Drug Interactions
III. Adverse Effects and Warnings
A. Older Adults and Dementia
B. Temperature Regulation
C. Orthostatic Hypotension and Cardiovascular Conditions
D. Hematologic Effects
E. Central Nervous System Effects
F. Weight Gain, Hyperglycemia, and Dyslipidemia
G. Hyperprolactinemia
H. Gastrointestinal Effects
I. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
J. Suicidal Behavior
K. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
IV. Asenapine Case Studies
A. Case Study 1: Bipolar I Disorder with Mania
B. Case Study 2: Bipolar I Disorder
V. Summary
From December 2, 2025 through December 2, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Sandra Rogers, MD, Becca Resnik, RN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the faculty members has a conflict of interest or financial relationship related to the subject matter of this activity. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
e is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.