Saphris for Bipolar (Asenapine)

by Sarah from Bipolar-Lives
(FL, US)

US BRAND NAME: Saphris

GENERIC NAME: Asenapine

TYPE: Atypical antipsychotic

USE: helps people with Bipolar I manage the symptoms of manic or mixed episodes. It is available only as a sublingual tablet, meaning that it is not effective if swallowed, and it must be left under the tongue to dissolve for it to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

COMMENTS: It is early days yet, but the initial trial results suggest Saphris will have less weight gain and cardiovascular side effects, and be less likely to produce loss of coordination, uncontrolled movement etc than the other atypical antipsychotics. Saphris does not seem to offer anything new in terms of treatment advantages, but if it is has fewer side effects that is a benefit in itself.

EVIDENCE: In clinical studies, SAPHRIS was proven to work as an acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in adults.

SIDE EFFECTS: Include but not limited to: Restlessness, anxiety, agitation, oral hypothesia (numbness), sleepiness, dizziness, weight gain, insomnia, headache. The FDA reports that the side effects reported by patients are mostly restlessness, fatigue, and the inability to relax.

CAUTIONS: Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (a severe mental health problem) taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, including SAPHRIS, are at an increased risk for death compared with those taking placebo (sugar tablet). SAPHRIS is not approved for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis. Another risk, although rare, is Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) a potentially fatal side effect - call your healthcare provider right away if you have high fever; stiff muscles; confusion; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; sweating; or muscle pain and weakness. Treatment should be stopped if you have NMS.