Cariprazine for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

Purpose: To review the data regarding a new antipsychotic, cariprazine.

Conclusions: Cariprazine is a dopamine D3, D2 partial agonist, with greater affinity to D3. It has been examined for schizophrenia, bipolar mania, bipolar depression, and unipolar depression. It has demonstrated efficacy in schizophrenia and mania, and has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, it has a more inconsistent effect in depression, both unipolar and bipolar. Adverse effects include extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, and gastrointestinal distress.

Practice Implications: Cariprazine will be a promising addition in the treatment of patients with acute mania and schizophrenia.