Schizophrenia is a debilitating condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. While currently available atypical
antipsychotic agents have significantly advanced the treatment of
schizophrenia, there is still a great unmet need for new, effective and better-tolerated
therapies.
Iloperidone, a D(2)/5-HT(2) receptor antagonist, has been recently approved by the US FDA for the acute treatment of
schizophrenia in adults.
Iloperidone has been shown to be effective in the treatment of
schizophrenia in four short-term (4-6 weeks) and three long-term (52 weeks) studies with over 3000 patients exposed to treatment. Results also indicated a reassuring safety profile, particularly regarding extrapyramidal symptoms,
akathisia and
prolactin elevation, with a modest effect on
weight gain and no medically important changes in
cholesterol,
triglycerides and
glucose. As other
antipsychotics,
iloperidone has been shown to prolong the QTc interval. Since none of the current
therapies work for every patient, a pharmacogenetic approach was used to identify
genetic markers associated with increased response to
iloperidone, suggesting a personalized therapeutic option for this
drug. In addition, a long-term 4-week
injectable formulation is being developed that may assist with patient compliance. Key development findings for
iloperidone are presented here.