Abstract
Brexpiprazole is a second generation antipsychotic that works as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors and an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A. Brexpiprazole showed efficacy for the treatment of schizophrenia in the range of 2 to 4 mg/d and as an adjunct to antidepressant therapy in major depressive disorder when dosed at 2 to 3 mg/d.
It has European Medicines Agency approval for monotherapy treatment of adult schizophrenia but has not approval for adjunctive treatment to antidepressants for MDD as in USA. The most common adverse effects include akathisia and weight gain.
Advantages of brexpiprazole include once daily dosing, good tolerability, and lack of effect on QTc interval and sexual function.