Pimavanserin

Last updated

Pimavanserin
Pimavanserin structure.svg
Clinical data
Trade names Nuplazid
Other namesACP-103; BVF-036; BVF-048
License data
Routes of
administration
By mouth
Drug class Atypical antipsychotic
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding 94–97% [2]
Metabolism Hepatic (CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2J2) [1]
Elimination half-life 54–56 hours [2]
Identifiers
  • N-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-N-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-N'-(4-(2-methylpropyloxy)phenylmethyl)carbamide
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
Formula C25H34FN3O2
Molar mass 427.564 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CC(C)COc3ccc(cc3)CNC(=O)N(C(CC2)CCN2C)Cc(cc1)ccc1F
  • InChI=1S/C25H34FN3O2/c1-19(2)18-31-24-10-6-20(7-11-24)16-27-25(30)29(23-12-14-28(3)15-13-23)17-21-4-8-22(26)9-5-21/h4-11,19,23H,12-18H2,1-3H3,(H,27,30) X mark.svgN
  • Key:RKEWSXXUOLRFBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N X mark.svgN
 X mark.svgNYes check.svgY  (what is this?)    (verify)

Pimavanserin, sold under the brand name Nuplazid, is an atypical antipsychotic which is approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease psychosis and is also being studied for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease psychosis, schizophrenia, agitation, and major depressive disorder. [3] Unlike other antipsychotics, pimavanserin is not a dopamine receptor antagonist. [4]

Contents

It is approved as a generic medication. [5]

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pimavanserin acts as an inverse agonist and antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A [6] receptors with high binding affinity (Ki  = 0.087 nM) and at serotonin 5-HT2C receptors with lower binding affinity (Ki = 0.44 nM). Pimavanserin shows low binding to σ1 receptors (Ki = 120 nM) and has no appreciable affinity (Ki > 300 nM) to serotonin 5-HT2B, dopamine (including D2), muscarinic acetylcholine, histamine, or adrenergic receptors, or to calcium channels. [1] [7]

Pimavanserin has a unique mechanism of action relative to other antipsychotics, behaving as a selective inverse agonist of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, with 40-fold selectivity for this site over the 5-HT2C receptor and no significant affinity or activity at the 5-HT2B receptor or dopamine receptors. [2]

History

Development

Pimavanserin was developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals.

Pimavanserin is expected to improve the effectiveness and side effect profile of antipsychotics. [8] [9] [10] The results of a clinical trial examining the efficacy, tolerability and safety of adjunctive pimavanserin to risperidone and haloperidol were published in November 2012, and the results showed that pimavanserin potentiated the antipsychotic effects of subtherapeutic doses of risperidone and improved the tolerability of haloperidol treatment by reducing the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms. [11]

The drug met expectations for a Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of Parkinson's disease psychosis, [12] and has completed Phase II trials for adjunctive treatment of schizophrenia alongside an antipsychotic medication. [13]

In September 2014, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted breakthrough therapy status to Acadia's New Drug Application for pimavanserin. [14]

FDA Approval

In April 2016, Nuplazid (pimavanserin) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis. [15] [16] The non-binding advisory panel recommendation of 12-to-2 in support of approval that preceded the FDA approval action noted that the drug met an important need, despite its only providing modest benefits and posing serious safety issues. [17]

In June 2018, the FDA approved new dosages of pimavanserin to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis. A 34 mg capsule and 10 mg tablet formulation were approved. Previously, patients were required to take two 17 mg tablets to achieve the recommenced 34 mg dose per day. The 10 mg dose is indicated for patients also taking CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole). [18]

HARMONY-Trial

In a phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NTC03325556) pimavanserin was applicated in patients with dementia-related psychosis. The dementia was caused by Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease with dementia, or vascular dementia. The trial was stopped early for efficacy. Patients treated with pimavanserin had a relapse in 13%, without in 28% (hazard ratio 0.35; 95% CI = 0.17–0.73; p = 0.005). Longer and larger trials are suggested. [19]

Controversy

In April 2018, CNN reported that some in the FDA were concerned that pimavanserin (Nuplazid) was "risky" when it was approved and noted there have been a substantial number of deaths reported by those using the drug. The story further noted that the drug was approved based on a "six-week study of about 200 patients". [20] The FDA began post-market monitoring of the drug to assess the validity of these claims. [21] In September 2018, the FDA stated their review "did not identify any new or unexpected safety findings with Nuplazid, or findings that are inconsistent with the established safety profile currently described in the drug label". [22]

Research

Pimavanserin was studied as a therapeutic agent in phase 3 clinical trials for major depressive disorder and schizophrenia and phase 2 trials for agitation. It was also under development for the treatment of insomnia, drug-induced akathisia, and drug-induced dyskinesia, but development for these indications was discontinued. [3]

In March 2024 Acadia Pharmaceuticals announced its decision to stop any further clinical trials of pimavanserin after the drug did not improve negative symptoms of schizophrenia better than placebo. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antipsychotic</span> Class of medications

Antipsychotics, previously known as neuroleptics and major tranquilizers, are a class of psychotropic medication primarily used to manage psychosis, principally in schizophrenia but also in a range of other psychotic disorders. They are also the mainstay, together with mood stabilizers, in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Moreover, they are also used as adjuncts in the treatment of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haloperidol</span> Typical antipsychotic medication

Haloperidol, sold under the brand name Haldol among others, is a typical antipsychotic medication. Haloperidol is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, tics in Tourette syndrome, mania in bipolar disorder, delirium, agitation, acute psychosis, and hallucinations from alcohol withdrawal. It may be used by mouth or injection into a muscle or a vein. Haloperidol typically works within 30 to 60 minutes. A long-acting formulation may be used as an injection every four weeks by people with schizophrenia or related illnesses, who either forget or refuse to take the medication by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atypical antipsychotic</span> Class of pharmaceutical drugs

The atypical antipsychotics (AAP), also known as second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and serotonin–dopamine antagonists (SDAs), are a group of antipsychotic drugs largely introduced after the 1970s and used to treat psychiatric conditions. Some atypical antipsychotics have received regulatory approval for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, irritability in autism, and as an adjunct in major depressive disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Risperidone</span> Antipsychotic medication

Risperidone, sold under the brand name Risperdal among others, is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is taken either by mouth or by injection. The injectable versions are long-acting and last for 2–4 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quetiapine</span> Atypical antipsychotic medication

Quetiapine, sold under the brand name Seroquel among others, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Despite being widely used as a sleep aid due to its sedating effect, the benefits of such use may not outweigh its undesirable side effects. It is taken orally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ziprasidone</span> Antipsychotic medication

Ziprasidone, sold under the brand name Geodon among others, is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It may be used by mouth and by injection into a muscle (IM). The IM form may be used for acute agitation in people with schizophrenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olanzapine</span> Atypical antipsychotic medication

Olanzapine, sold under the brand name Zyprexa among others, is an atypical antipsychotic primarily used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For schizophrenia, it can be used for both new-onset disease and long-term maintenance. It is taken by mouth or by injection into a muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aripiprazole</span> Atypical antipsychotic

Aripiprazole, sold under the brand names Abilify and Aristada, among others, is an atypical antipsychotic. It is primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; other uses include as an add-on treatment in major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, and irritability associated with autism. Aripiprazole is taken by mouth or via injection into a muscle. A Cochrane review found low-quality evidence of effectiveness in treating schizophrenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amoxapine</span> Tricyclic antidepressant medication

Amoxapine, sold under the brand name Asendin among others, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It is the N-demethylated metabolite of loxapine. Amoxapine first received marketing approval in the United States in 1980, approximately 10 to 20 years after most of the other TCAs were introduced in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amisulpride</span> Atypical antipsychotic and antiemetic medication

Amisulpride is an antiemetic and antipsychotic medication used at lower doses intravenously to prevent and treat postoperative nausea and vomiting; and at higher doses by mouth to treat schizophrenia and acute psychotic episodes. It is sold under the brand names Barhemsys and Solian, Socian, Deniban and others. At very low doses it is also used to treat dysthymia.

5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor Subtype of serotonin receptor

The 5-HT2A receptor is a subtype of the 5-HT2 receptor that belongs to the serotonin receptor family and is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). The 5-HT2A receptor is a cell surface receptor, but has several intracellular locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asenapine</span> Medication to treat schizophrenia

Asenapine, sold under the brand name Saphris among others, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and acute mania associated with bipolar disorder as well as the medium to long-term management of bipolar disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perospirone</span> Atypical antipsychotic medication

Perospirone (Lullan) is an atypical antipsychotic of the azapirone family. It was introduced in Japan by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma in 2001 for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute cases of bipolar mania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiospirone</span> Atypical antipsychotic drug

Tiospirone (BMY-13,859), also sometimes called tiaspirone or tiosperone, is an atypical antipsychotic of the azapirone class. It was investigated as a treatment for schizophrenia in the late 1980s and was found to have an effectiveness equivalent to those of typical antipsychotics in clinical trials but without causing extrapyramidal side effects. However, development was halted and it was not marketed. Perospirone, another azapirone derivative with antipsychotic properties, was synthesized and assayed several years after tiospirone. It was found to be both more potent and more selective in comparison and was commercialized instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clocapramine</span> Antipsychotic medication

Clocapramine, also known as 3-chlorocarpipramine, is an atypical antipsychotic of the iminostilbene class which was introduced in Japan in 1974 by Yoshitomi for the treatment of schizophrenia. In addition to psychosis, clocapramine has also been used to augment antidepressants in the treatment of anxiety and panic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cariprazine</span> Atypical antipsychotic medicine

Cariprazine, sold under the brand names Vraylar,Reagila and Symvenu among others, is an atypical antipsychotic originated by Gedeon Richter, which is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania, bipolar depression, and major depressive disorder. It acts primarily as a D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist, with a preference for the D3 receptor. Cariprazine is also a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and acts as an antagonist at 5-HT2B and 5-HT2A receptors, with high selectivity for the D3 receptor. It is taken by mouth.

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brexpiprazole</span> Atypical antipsychotic

Brexpiprazole, sold under the brand name Rexulti among others, is a medication used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. It is an atypical antipsychotic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aripiprazole lauroxil</span> Chemical compound

Aripiprazole lauroxil, sold under the brand name Aristada, is a long-acting injectable atypical antipsychotic that was developed by Alkermes. It is an N-acyloxymethyl prodrug of aripiprazole that is administered via intramuscular injection once every four to eight weeks for the treatment of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole lauroxil was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 5 October 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulotaront</span> Investigational antipsychotic drug

Ulotaront is an investigational antipsychotic that is undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease psychosis. The medication was discovered in collaboration between PsychoGenics Inc. and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals using PsychoGenics' behavior and AI-based phenotypic drug discovery platform, SmartCube. Ulotaront is in Phase III of clinical development.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Nuplazid- pimavanserin tartrate capsule Nuplazid- pimavanserin tartrate tablet, coated". DailyMed. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Friedman JH (October 2013). "Pimavanserin for the treatment of Parkinson's disease psychosis". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 14 (14): 1969–75. doi:10.1517/14656566.2013.819345. PMID   24016069. S2CID   35649566.
  3. 1 2 "Pimavanserin - Acadia Pharmaceuticals - AdisInsight".
  4. Howland RH (June 2016). "Pimavanserin: An Inverse Agonist Antipsychotic Drug". Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 54 (6): 21–4. doi:10.3928/02793695-20160523-01. PMID   27245248.
  5. "First-Time Generic Drug Approvals 2024". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. "NUPLAZID Prescribing Information" (PDF). 2018.
  7. Stahl SM (August 2016). "Mechanism of action of pimavanserin in Parkinson's disease psychosis: targeting serotonin 5HT2A and 5HT2C receptors". CNS Spectrums. 21 (4): 271–5. doi: 10.1017/S1092852916000407 . PMID   27503570.
  8. Gardell LR, Vanover KE, Pounds L, Johnson RW, Barido R, Anderson GT, Veinbergs I, Dyssegaard A, Brunmark P, Tabatabaei A, Davis RE, Brann MR, Hacksell U, Bonhaus DW (August 2007). "ACP-103, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor inverse agonist, improves the antipsychotic efficacy and side-effect profile of haloperidol and risperidone in experimental models". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 322 (2): 862–70. doi:10.1124/jpet.107.121715. PMID   17519387. S2CID   28861527.
  9. Vanover KE, Betz AJ, Weber SM, Bibbiani F, Kielaite A, Weiner DM, Davis RE, Chase TN, Salamone JD (October 2008). "A 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist, ACP-103, reduces tremor in a rat model and levodopa-induced dyskinesias in a monkey model". Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 90 (4): 540–4. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2008.04.010. PMC   2806670 . PMID   18534670.
  10. Abbas A, Roth BL (December 2008). "Pimavanserin tartrate: a 5-HT2A inverse agonist with potential for treating various neuropsychiatric disorders". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 9 (18): 3251–9. doi:10.1517/14656560802532707. PMID   19040345. S2CID   71240383.
  11. Meltzer HY, Elkis H, Vanover K, Weiner DM, van Kammen DP, Peters P, Hacksell U (November 2012). "Pimavanserin, a selective serotonin (5-HT)2A-inverse agonist, enhances the efficacy and safety of risperidone, 2mg/day, but does not enhance efficacy of haloperidol, 2mg/day: comparison with reference dose risperidone, 6mg/day". Schizophrenia Research. 141 (2–3): 144–52. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.07.029 . PMID   22954754.
  12. "Treating Parkinson's Disease - Clinical Trial Pimavanserin". Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  13. "Acadia Announces Positive Results From ACP-103 Phase II Schizophrenia Co-Therapy Trial" (Press release). Acadia Pharmaceuticals. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  14. "ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Nuplazid (Pimavanserin) for Parkinson's Disease Psychosis". Acadia Pharmaceuticals. 2 September 2014.
  15. "FDA approves first drug to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease" (Press release). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  16. Cruz MP (June 2017). "Pimavanserin (Nuplazid): A Treatment for Hallucinations and Delusions Associated With Parkinson's Disease". P & T. 42 (6): 368–371. PMC   5440097 . PMID   28579723.
  17. "Gov't panel backs drug for Parkinson's". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. Vol. 105, no. 24. Associated Press. 30 March 2016. p. A8. Retrieved 7 December 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Acadia Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Approval of New Dosing Formulation and Strength for NUPLAZID® (Pimavanserin)" (Press release). Acadia Pharmaceuticals. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019 via Business Wire.
  19. Tariot PN, Cummings JL, Soto-Martin ME, Ballard C, Erten-Lyons D, Sultzer DL, et al. (July 2021). "Trial of Pimavanserin in Dementia-Related Psychosis". The New England Journal of Medicine. 385 (4): 309–319. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2034634 . hdl: 10871/124190 . PMID   34289275. S2CID   236175470.
  20. "FDA worried drug was risky; now reports of deaths spark concern". CNN. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  21. Ellis B, Hicken M. "FDA re-examines safety of controversial new drug". CNN. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  22. "Drug Safety and Availability - FDA analysis finds no new or unexpected safety risks associated with Nuplazid (pimavanserin), a medication to treat the hallucinations and delusions of Parkinson's disease psychosis". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  23. "Acadia to Stop Trials Of Antipsychotic Drug After It Fails Schizophrenia Study". Medscape. Retrieved 15 March 2024.