27 Sep FDA Approves First Novel Drug for Schizophrenia in Decades

By Kristen Monaco, MedPage Today

The FDA on Thursday approved xanomeline and trospium chloride (Cobenfy) for schizophrenia in adults, the first new class of drug for the condition in more than 30 years.

In contrast to antipsychotics that work on dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors in the brain, the oral agent targets the M1 and M4 muscarinic receptors instead. The novel approach may help patients that don’t respond to or tolerate dopamine-blocking agents.

“This drug takes the first new approach to schizophrenia treatment in decades. This approval offers a new alternative to the antipsychotic medications people with schizophrenia have previously been prescribed,” said Tiffany Farchione, MD, of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement. Read more…