Section - Quick Takes

03. Efficacy and Safety of Lumateperone for Treatment of Schizophrenia

Published on September 1, 2020 Expired on April 1, 2023

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Although a new antipsychotic with a potentially new mechanism of action certainly warrants our attention, a balanced view suggests that the novelty of lumateperone has yet to be established. Like all new medications, it will take more study and more experience with this medication before we can effectively evaluate its benefits relative to its risks.

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Lumateperone is a new antipsychotic. Is it going to offer something new and better? We are here to look at that. The first phase 3 trial was just published––a short-term scaled-up trial of efficacy and safety.

After aripiprazole failed at the very end of its 8-week trial in bipolar depression, lurasidone came along shortly after that and ran a 7-week trial. Now, we have a 4-week trial of lumateperone in the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia. Fortunately, this trial published in JAMA Psychiatry was accompanied by a very balanced editorial, even though 6 of the 10 study authors were employees of the company that makes lumateperone.

We will look at an editorial by Dr. Kantrowitz, which emphasizes a balanced view. Dr. Kantrowitz says there is a chance that lumateperone is a new drug and that its mechanism of action is different from the current crop of second-generation antipsychotics. At the

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04. Clinical Course and Need for Hospital Admission After Lithium Discontinuation in Patients With Bipolar Disorder Type I or II: Mirror-Image Study Based on the LiSIE Retrospective Cohort

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Evaluate the evidence implicating oral contraceptives in altered HPA axis physiology and consider the clinical implications thereof.
Evaluate the outcomes in patients who have stopped taking clozapine after taking it for a year or more, comparing the restarting of clozapine vs some other antipsychotic vs no antipsychotic at all.
Compare the data presented in a new study of lumateperone with the balanced view of an accompanying editorial.
Compare their clinical experience with lithium to new data in terms of both the impact of stopping the drug (measured by hospitalization rate) and the rate at which patients stop it due to various side effects.
Evaluate a recent network meta-analysis (with a reminder on how NMAs work) regarding optimal treatment for adult depression: Should you start with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or both?

Original Release Date: September 1, 2020

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2023

Expiration Date: April 1, 2023

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

James Phelps declares the following interests:

- McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder

- W.W. Norton & Co.: book on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Answer the quiz for promoting retention of knowledge.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.