Abstract
The second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic lurasidone (Latuda®) presents a useful option to consider for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents. As demonstrated in a 6-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial, oral lurasidone provides clinically meaningful symptom improvements in adolescents with schizophrenia. Furthermore, continued improvement in symptoms is observed during longer-term treatment, based on a 2-year open-label extension study. The drug is generally well tolerated and appears to have a low propensity for weight gain and other metabolic adverse events commonly associated with second-generation antipsychotics, a potential advantage that may be particularly relevant to adolescent patients.
Plain Language Summary
Although second-generation antipsychotic medications are generally considered to have improved tolerability compared with first-generation antipsychotics, they are commonly associated with a risk of weight gain and other metabolic adverse effects. Lurasidone (Latuda®) is a second-generation antipsychotic which, relative to some other antipsychotics, appears to have a favourable tolerability profile in terms of metabolic effects, which could be particularly beneficial in adolescent patients. As demonstrated in a 6-week clinical trial, lurasidone provides clinically meaningful symptom improvements in adolescents with schizophrenia compared with placebo. Furthermore, continued improvement in symptoms is observed during longer-term treatment. The drug is generally well tolerated; minimal changes in metabolic parameters were observed in patients over 2 years of treatment. In conclusion, lurasidone is effective and generally well tolerated in the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents and, having a low propensity for weight gain and other metabolic adverse effects, presents a useful treatment option to consider.
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Acknowledgements
The manuscript was reviewed by: D. V. Ivashchenko, Child Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Department, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia; P. Mohr, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia and Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia; R. Musil, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany. During the peer review process, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Europe and Angelini Pharma, the marketing-authorisation holders of lurasidone in the USA, UK and EU, respectively, were also offered an opportunity to provide a scientific accuracy review of their data. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.
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M. Shirley is a salaried employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature and declares no relevant conflicts of interest. All authors contributed to the review and are responsible for the article content.
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Shirley, M. Lurasidone in schizophrenia in adolescents: a profile of its use. Drugs Ther Perspect 37, 347–353 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-021-00849-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-021-00849-8