Cariprazine (RGH-188): A new pharmacological target option for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and depression?

INTRODUCTION: Cariprazine (RGH-188) is a novel antipsychotic drug that exerts partial agonism of dopamine D2/D3 receptors with preferential binding to D3 receptor, antagonism of 5HT2B receptors and partial agonism of 5HT1A. Its interesting pharmacodynamic profile suggests its potential in the treatment of a plethora of psychiatric disorders. The present comprehensive review aims at summarizing the current evidence about the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Cariprazine in the treatment of schizophrenia, BD (manic/mixed/depressive episode) and MDD.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search was here carried out on PubMed/Medline/Scopus and the database on Clinical Trials from inception until December 2015 by typing a set of specified keywords.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Cariprazine appears to be efficacy in the treatment of cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Preliminary findings suggest its antimanic activity whilst it is still under investigation its efficacy in the treatment of bipolar depression and MDD. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies should be needed in order to better identify its clinical efficacy profile.