Asenapine is a new generation antipsychotic that has proven effective in the treatment of manic or mixed episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder in two studies in 3 weeks. The aim of our study was to evaluate the response asenapine in a group of bipolar patients in manic phase and / or mixed in a period of about 2 months.
A group of bipolar inpatients (n = 18) in manic or mixed states are assessed with: SCID-P for Axis I diagnosis, YMRS, HRSD and CGI respectively at, 3 weeks and 2 months and discontinuation of therapy. The administration of asenapine was carried out according to technical data sheet. The mean dose of asenapine was administered daily to 10 mg. There is no statistically significant difference in the socio-demographic characteristics of the sample of patients who continued treatment with asenapine compared to those who discontinued treatment. 27.78% of patients discontinued asenapine to 3 weeks (nonresolution of depressive symptoms but not manic). 27.78% of patients achieved benefit and completed the study. 16.67% of patients exit from the study for extrapyramidal effects. The main side effects were somnolence, insomnia, akathisia.