Asenapine Maleate

Description

Asenapine, a dual antagonist of dopamine D₂and serotonin 5-HT₂receptors, was launched for the acute treatment of schizophreniaand manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults. Asenapine exhibits high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors (Ki = 2.5, 4.0, 0.06, 0.16, 0.03, 1.6, 0.25, and 0.13 nM, respectively); dopamine D1, D2, D3, and D4 receptors (Ki = 1.4, 0.42, 1.1, and 1.3 nM, respectively); a1- and a2-adrenergic receptors (Ki = 1.2 and 1.2 nM, respectively); and histamine H1 receptors (Ki = 1.0 nM), and moderate affinity for H2 receptors (Ki = 6.2 nM). In in vitro assays, asenapine acts as an antagonist at these receptors. Asenapine has no appreciable affinity for muscarinic cholinergic receptors (e.g., Ki = 8128 nM for M1). Despite its potent binding affinity for multiple receptors, the efficacy of asenapine in schizophrenia is thought to be primarily mediated through a combination of antagonist activity at D2 and 5-HT2A receptors.

The Uses of Asenapine Maleate

Asenapine Maleate is a 5-HT receptor antagonist developed for the treatment of acute schizophrenia and bipolar mania.