Iloperidone: a new benzisoxazole atypical antipsychotic drug: is it nove enough to impact the crowded atypical antipsychotic market?

Iloperidone (Zomaril®) is a new generation atypical antipsychotic agent, acting as a 5-HT2A/D2 antagonist, currently under development by Vanda Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions. Chemically Iloperidone is a benzisoxazole, like Risperidone, and shows a multiple receptor binding profile, sharing this feature with the other atypical antipsychotic agents. Administered orally, the drug is highly bound to plasma proteins and extensively metabolised; reduced Iloperidone is the main active metabolite. Several clinical trials were carried out, to check efficacy, safety and side effects. In order to introduce Iloperidone as an agent for the treatment of schizophrenia, a short overview of the disease and of the most important available or under development antipsychotic drugs will be reported as well. Iloperidone pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are presented herein, together with an evaluation of clinical safety and efficacy results.