Cariprazine for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Review of this Dopamine D3-Preferring D3/D2 Receptor Partial Agonist (original) (raw)
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Clinical and Translational Science, 2019
Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling (via NONMEM) was used to describe longitudinal exposureresponse relationships for total cariprazine (sum of cariprazine and its major active metabolites) in 2,558 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar mania. Drug exposure metrics were explored for potential relationships with efficacy and safety end points. Total cariprazine exposures were significantly related to reductions in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) or Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) total scores in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, respectively, via a maximum effect (E max)-type relationship. Typical steady-state plasma concentrations after 3 and 4.5 mg/day were associated with 50% of maximum typical reductions in PANSS and YMRS total scores, respectively. Time-weighted cariprazine exposures had significant relationships with the probability of common adverse events (AEs). Dose increase was associated with increased efficacy but was also associated with an increase in AEs. Results of these pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses support that the recommended dose range (1.5-6 mg/day for schizophrenia and 3-6 mg/day for bipolar mania) provides an appropriate benefit-risk balance between cariprazine efficacy and safety. Identifying the appropriate efficacious dose for an antipsychotic is often confounded by placebo response and high dropout rate in psychiatric clinical trials. 1,2 Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling, in which data from several studies can be analyzed simultaneously, 3 is a useful tool for clarifying exposure-response relationships and can assess the cumulative data to support optimal clinical dose. Model-based analysis also increases the power to detect differences in clinical trials. 4 Cariprazine is an orally active and potent dopamine D 3-preferring D 3 /D 2 receptor partial agonist and a serotonin 5-HT 1A receptor partial agonist. 5 Cariprazine also acts as an antagonist at 5-HT 2B receptors, with lower affinity for 5-HT 2A , 5-HT 2C , histamine H 1 , and adrenergic α 1 receptors and negligible affinity for other receptors (e.g., cholinergic muscarinic receptors). 5 Two major metabolites, desmethyl-cariprazine (DCAR) and didesmethyl-cariprazine
Cariprazine in Schizophrenia: Clinical Efficacy, Tolerability, and Place in Therapy
Advances in Therapy, 2013
Cariprazine is a dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 receptor partial agonist in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of schizophrenia, as well as for bipolar disorder (manic/mixed and depressive episodes), and as an adjunctive agent for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Four phase 2 or 3, 6-week, randomized controlled trials in acute schizophrenia have been completed and reported as poster presentations or in press releases by the manufacturer. Superiority over placebo on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score was evidenced for cariprazine in daily doses of 1.5, 3.0,
Cariprazine in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical Efficacy, Tolerability, and Place in Therapy
Advances in Therapy, 2013
Cariprazine is a dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 receptor partial agonist in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic/mixed and depressive episodes), as well as for schizophrenia, and as an adjunctive agent for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Three phase 2 or 3, 3-week, randomized controlled trials in bipolar mania or mixed episodes have been completed and reported as poster presentations or in press releases by the manufacturer. Superiority over placebo on the Young Mania Rating Scale total score was evidenced for daily doses of cariprazine 3-12 mg/day. In short-term randomized controlled trials, cariprazine does not appear to adversely impact metabolic variables, prolactin, or the electrocardiogram (ECG) QT interval. The most commonly encountered adverse events in the mania trials were extrapyramidal disorder, akathisia, insomnia, vomiting, restlessness, sedation, vision blurred, and pain in extremity in the phase 2 trial where this was presented in a poster, and akathisia, extrapyramidal disorder, tremor, dyspepsia, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, somnolence, restlessness, and pyrexia for the phase 3 trial where this was presented in a poster. With the exception of akathisia and extrapyramidal disorder, the differences in incidence versus placebo for these events were generally small. If approved by regulatory authorities, cariprazine would join aripiprazole as the second dopamine receptor partial agonist antipsychotic available for clinical use in persons with bipolar mania or mixed episodes. Cariprazine differs from aripiprazole in terms of dopamine D3 receptor selectivity. Further studies would be helpful to discern the distinguishing features of cariprazine from other antimanic agents.
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2018
Cariprazine is an oral antipsychotic approved in the US and EU for the treatment of schizophrenia. Cariprazine differs from other antipsychotics in that it is a dopamine D 3-and D 2-receptor partial agonist, with tenfold higher affinity for D 3 receptors than for D 2 receptors. Cariprazine is metabolized in two steps by CYP3A4 to didesmethyl-cariprazine (DDCAR). DDCAR has a long half-life of 1-3 weeks and is the predominant circulating active moiety. Efficacy and safety in persons with acute schizophrenia were assessed in four similarly designed, short-term, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in nonelderly adults, with three studies considered positive and yielding a number needed to treat vs placebo for response (change from baseline $30% in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score) of ten for the approved dose range of cariprazine 1.5-6 mg/day. The most common adverse reactions were extrapyramidal symptoms (15% and 19% for 1.5-3 and 4.5-6 mg/day, respectively, vs 8% for placebo) and akathisia (9% and 12.5% for 1.5-3 and 4.5-6 mg/day, respectively, vs 4% for placebo). For the approved dose range, rates of discontinuation because of an adverse event were lower overall for patients receiving cariprazine vs placebo (9% vs 12%). Weight and metabolic profile appear favorable. Cariprazine does not increase prolactin levels or prolong the electrocardiographic QT interval. Cariprazine has also been found to be effective for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia by delaying time to relapse when compared with placebo (HR 0.45). A 26-week randomized clinical trial evidenced superiority of cariprazine over risperidone for the treatment of predominantly negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Cariprazine is also approved in the US for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and is being studied for the treatment of bipolar I depression and major depressive disorder.
International clinical psychopharmacology, 2017
Cariprazine, a potent dopamine D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist antipsychotic with preferential binding to D3 receptors, is Food and Drug Administration approved for treating schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder. A post-hoc safety/tolerability analysis of data from the four acute trials in the cariprazine schizophrenia clinical development program (NCT00404573; NCT00694707; NCT01104766; NCT01104779) was carried out using the overall safety population (all patients who received ≥1 dose of study drug) and modal daily dose subgroups (1.5-3, 4.5-6, and 9-12 mg/day). These exploratory findings were summarized using descriptive statistics. Cariprazine was generally well tolerated. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events versus placebo was similar for cariprazine 1.5-3 mg/day and higher for cariprazine 4.5-6 and 9-12 mg/day; a dose-response relationship was observed for akathisia, extrapyramidal symptoms, and diastolic blood pressure. The mean change...
CNS spectrums, 2017
Cariprazine, a dopamine D3/D2 partial agonist atypical antipsychotic with preferential binding to D3 receptors, is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. The efficacy and safety of cariprazine was established in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week trials in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. This 53-week study evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of cariprazine in patients with schizophrenia. This was a multicenter, open-label, flexible-dose study of cariprazine 3-9 mg/d in adults with schizophrenia. Participants included new patients and patients who had completed one of two phase III lead-in studies (NCT01104766, NCT01104779). Eligible patients entered a no-drug screening period of up to 1 week followed by 48 weeks of flexibly dosed, open-label cariprazine treatment (3-9 mg/d) and 4 weeks of safety follow-up. A total of 586 patients received open-label cariprazine...
BMC Psychiatry, 2017
Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that often requires long-term pharmacotherapy to manage symptoms and prevent relapse. Cariprazine is a potent dopamine D 3 and D 2 receptor partial agonist that is FDA-approved in the US for the treatment of schizophrenia and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults; the recommended dose range is 1.5-6 mg/d. Methods: To further characterize the long-term safety of cariprazine, data from two 48-week open-label, flexible-dose extension studies were pooled for post hoc analyses. Outcomes were evaluated in the pooled safety population (patients who received ≥1 dose of cariprazine during an open-label extension period); findings were summarized using descriptive statistics for the overall cariprazine group and in modal daily dose groups (1.5-3, 4.5-6, and 9 mg/d). Results: Of the 679 patients in the overall cariprazine safety population, 40.1% completed the study. The only adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation of ≥2% of patients in any dose group were akathisia, worsening of schizophrenia, and psychotic disorder. Treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) of akathisia, insomnia, weight increased, and headache were reported in ≥10% of the overall population. Mean prolactin levels decreased in all dose groups (overall, −15.4 ng/mL). Clinically insignificant changes in aminotransferase levels and alkaline phosphatase were observed; no dose-response relationship was observed across groups. Mean total (−5.3 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein (−3.5 mg/dL), and high-density lipoprotein (−0.8 mg/dL) cholesterol levels decreased; no dose-response relationship was observed for metabolic parameters. Mean change in body weight was 1.58 kg; body weight increase and decrease ≥7% occurred in 27% and 11% of patients, respectively. Mean changes in cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure and pulse, were generally not considered clinically significant. EPS-related TEAEs that occurred in ≥5% of patients were akathisia, tremor, restlessness, and extrapyramidal disorder. Conclusion: In these post hoc pooled analyses of data from 2 long-term open-label studies, treatment with cariprazine was generally safe and well tolerated. Results support the safety and tolerability of cariprazine within the FDA-recommended dose range of 1.5-6 mg/d for schizophrenia. Clinical trials registration: NCT01104792, NCT00839852.
The preclinical discovery and development of cariprazine for the treatment of schizophrenia
Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, 2018
Introduction: Cariprazine is approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder and for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients. It is typically administered orally once a day (a dose range 1.5-6 mg/day), does require titration, and may be given with or without food. It has a half-life of 2-4 days with an active metabolite that has a terminal half-life of 2-3 weeks. Areas covered: This review article focuses on the preclinical discovery of cariprazine providing details regarding its pharmacological, behavioral, and neurochemical mechanisms and its contribution to clinical therapeutic benefits. This article is based on the available literature with respect to the preclinical and clinical findings and product labels of cariprazine. Expert opinion: Cariprazine shows highest affinity toward D 3 receptors, followed by D 2 , 5-HT 2B , and 5-HT 1A receptors. It also shows moderate affinity toward σ 1 , 5-HT 2A , and histamine H 1 receptors. Longterm administration of cariprazine altered the abundance of dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate receptor subtypes in different brain regions. All these mechanisms of cariprazine may contribute toward its unique preclinical profile and its clinically observed benefits in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and possibly other psychiatric disorders.
Clinical potential of cariprazine in the treatment of acute mania
Cariprazine (RGH-188, trans-4-{2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-ethyl}-N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl-cyclohexyl-amine hydrochloride), is a novel antipsychotic with dopamine D2 and D3 receptors antagonist–partial agonist properties. Cariprazine has also moderate affinity for serotonin 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) 1A receptors, high affinity for 5-HT1B receptors with pure antagonism and low affinity for 5-HT2A receptors. Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, flexible-dose (3–12 mg/day) studies have demonstrated cariprazine is effective in both schizophrenia and acute manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. The incidence of serious adverse events in cariprazine arm was no different than in placebo arm in these studies. The most common adverse events were extrapyramidal symptoms, headache, akathisia, constipation, nausea, and dyspepsia which can be explained with cariprazine’s partial dopamine agonism. Although cariprazine treatment was associated with a higher incidence of treatment emergent adverse events, particularly akathisia and tremor, common side effects of marketed second generation antipsychotics such as weight gain, metabolic disturbances, prolactin increase or QTc prolongation were not associated with cariprazine, probably due to its moderate to low binding affinity for histamine H1 and 5-HT2C receptors. Animal studies show that cariprazine may have additional therapeutic benefit on impaired cognitive functioning with D3 receptor activity, however clinical data is still scarce. The aim of this article is to review the potential use of cariprazine for the treatment of acute manic episodes in the light of the preclinicaland clinical trials reported to date.
Advances in Therapy, 2021
Schizophrenia is characterized by positive, negative, cognitive, and affective symptoms. Antipsychotic medications, which work by blocking the dopamine D 2 receptor, are the foundation of pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia to control positive symptoms. Cariprazine is a dopamine D 3 receptor-preferring D 3 /D 2 partial agonist antipsychotic that is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia (USA and European Union [EU]) and manic and depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (USA). Partial agonist agents have a lower intrinsic activity at receptors than full agonists, so they act as either functional agonists or functional antagonists depending on the surrounding neurotransmitter environment. Beyond efficacy against positive symptoms, the unique D 3-preferring partial agonist pharmacology of cariprazine suggests potential advantages against negative symptoms, and cognitive and functional impairment, which are challenging to treat. The efficacy and safety of cariprazine in adult patients with schizophrenia have been demonstrated in four short-term randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, two long-term open-label studies, one relapse prevention study, and one prospective negative symptom study versus the active comparator risperidone. Additional post hoc investigations have supported efficacy across individual symptoms and domains in schizophrenia, as well as in diverse areas of interest including cognition, functioning, negative symptoms, hostility, and global well-being. This comprehensive review of cariprazine summarizes its pharmacologic profile, clinical trial evidence, and post hoc investigations. Collective evidence suggests that the pharmacology of cariprazine may offer broad-spectrum efficacy advantages for patients with schizophrenia, including effects against difficult-to-treat negative and cognitive symptoms, as well as functional improvements. Cariprazine was generally safe and well tolerated in patients with short-and long-term exposure and no new safety concerns were associated with longerduration treatment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers,