What is Nuplazid (pimavanserin) for?
Nuplazid (pimavanserin) is the first medicine approved for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis2.
How does Nuplazid (pimavanserin) work?
Hallucinations or delusions can occur in as many as 50% of patients with Parkinson’s disease at some time during the course of their illness. People who experience them see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations) and/or have false beliefs (delusions). Hallucinations and delusions experienced with Parkinson’s disease are serious symptoms which can lead to impaired thoughts and emotions that may be disturbing and disabling. As a result, patients may not relate to loved ones well or take appropriate care of themselves2. The mechanism of action of pimavanserin in the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis is unknown. However, its effect could be mediated through a combination of inverse agonist and antagonist activity at serotonin receptors1, which influence various biological and neurological processes such as aggression, anxiety, appetite, cognition, learning, memory, mood, nausea, sleep, and thermoregulation3.
Is Nuplazid (pimavanserin) approved?
Nuplazid (pimavanserin) was approved for the treatment of patients with hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis2 by:
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) (USA) on April 29, 2016
How do I take Nuplazid (pimavanserin)?
The standard dosage is:
34 mg, taken orally as two 17 mg tablets once daily1
Complete information about Nuplazid (pimavanserin) dosage and administration can be found in the resources section.
Warning: Nuplazid (pimavanserin) is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis unrelated to the hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis1.
Note: Consult your treating doctor for personalised dosing.
Are there any known adverse reactions or side effects of Nuplazid (pimavanserin)?
Common adverse reactions
The most common adverse reactions (≥5% patients) listed in the prescribing information include:
peripheral edema
confusional state
Serious side effects
The serious adverse reactions listed in the prescribing information include:
QT interval prolongation (heart rhythm disorder)
Use in specific populations
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death1. No drug in this class is approved to treat patients with dementia-related psychosis2.
Use of Nuplazid (pimavanserin) is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment and in patients with hepatic impairment1.
For a comprehensive list of side effects and adverse reactions please refer to the official prescribing information.
