Asenapine: new therapeutic perspective of bipolar disorder

Asenapine is an innovative option for the pharmacological treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder. Asenapine has a positive weight and metabolic profile, which put emphasis on its clinical interest. Among the second-generation antipsychotic drugs, it could have greater specificity in the treatment of mixed states, particularly with depressive symptoms. The rapid and short sedation that could be obtained with Asenapine may be of clinical utility, in particular for psychomotor agitation and insomnia. This article is focused on the use of Asenapine in the treatment of bipolar disorder manic and mixed episodes. Issues on dosage, side effect management, and concomitant pharmacotherapies are addressed.