The Food and Drug Administration has approved Cobenfy (xanomeline and trospium chloride), making it the first major advancement in schizophrenia treatment in decades.
Unlike existing medications that target dopamine receptors, this oral medication focuses on cholinergic receptors.
Cobenfy has shown promise in reducing common side effects such as weight gain and movement disorders, which often are seen with traditional antipsychotics. Notably, it does not carry the heightened mortality risk for elderly patients that typically is associated with other drugs in this category. Common side effects with Cobenfy include nausea, constipation and a rapid heartbeat.
Although the new medication may not be suitable for everyone with schizophrenia, it could benefit patients who have struggled with current treatments.
The FDA granted approval based on five-week double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Some experts have raised concerns about the short duration of those investigations. More should be learned about the treatment’s long-term safety and effectiveness, they cautioned.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves, often resulting in delusions, hallucinations and disorganized thinking.
Among the elderly, schizophrenia is less common but can be especially challenging, due to age-related cognitive decline and other health issues. Managing schizophrenia in the elderly often requires a tailored approach to balance psychiatric care with the complexities of aging.
It is estimated that around 1% of the general population is affected by schizophrenia.
