Experts expressed enthusiasm Friday after U.S. health regulators approved the first new form of treatment. schizophrenia Within a few decades.
The drug Cobenfy, developed by US pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb, works differently from existing treatments in that it targets so-called cholinergic receptors rather than dopamine receptors.
“This drug takes the first new approach to treating schizophrenia in decades,” said Tiffany Farchione, a top U.S. Food and Drug Administration official. said in a statement thursday.
“This approval provides a new alternative to antipsychotic medications previously prescribed for patients with schizophrenia.” said.
Schizophrenia affects only a small number of people. 1% of AmericansBut the effects can be fatal.
You may experience hallucinations, feelings of persecution, and difficulty controlling your thoughts. Approximately 5% of people with diagnosed schizophrenia die by suicide.
Lynsey Bilsland, head of mental health at the Wellcome Charity, said: said Cobenfy “could make a world of difference, especially for people for whom other medications have not worked.”
she added: “This product works in a completely different way than other schizophrenia medications currently in use. It has the potential to change the lives of millions of people.”
Covenpi (scientific name: “xanomeline and trospium chloride”) is taken orally.
two clinical trials It has been proven to dramatically reduce patient symptoms.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, urinary retention, and liver problems.
But compared to current drugs, these side effects have been “reduced,” said Matt Jones, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Bristol in England.
“This is definitely good news for people with schizophrenia.” he saidHe pointed out that the drug has not yet been approved in the UK.
Sameer Jauhar, senior clinical lecturer in affective disorders and psychosis at King’s College London, said the side effects of current medications – such as weight gain and lethargy – could prevent some people from continuing treatment.
While he said he would like to see the long-term results of the experiment, he was quick to add that the positive results so far are “probably one of the most exciting developments in our field, and I’m very excited about it.”
© Agence France-Presse
