Asenapine: novel antipsychotic for treatment of bipolar I disorder

Asenapine is a new antipsychotic agent with activity for multiple receptors. It is administered sublingually for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults. In this Drug profile the authors review the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of asenapine, and discuss its efficacy in bipolar I disorder and its likely positioning in clinical practice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.