What To Know About Saphris (Asenapine)

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses for SaphrisBefore TakingOther Atypical AntipsychoticsSaphris DosageSide Effects of SaphrisWarnings and Interactions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Uses for Saphris

Before Taking

Other Atypical Antipsychotics

Saphris Dosage

Side Effects of Saphris

Warnings and Interactions

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Saphris (asenapine) is a medication used to treat mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

What is the most important information I should know about Saphris?You should not take Saphris if you:have a known allergy to asenapine; orare an older adult with dementia-related psychosis; orhave a contraindicated condition such as certain heart problems, parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia, or diabetes.

What is the most important information I should know about Saphris?

You should not take Saphris if you:have a known allergy to asenapine; orare an older adult with dementia-related psychosis; orhave a contraindicated condition such as certain heart problems, parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia, or diabetes.

You should not take Saphris if you:

The hyperactivity and hypoactivity of dopamine in the brain have long been linked to psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Before Taking Saphris

Before this medication is prescribed for you, you should disclose if you are taking any other medications, supplements, and vitamins to your doctor.

People who have a history of heart and liver diseases need to take this medication with added caution. If this applies to you, it’s important you disclose this to your doctor.

Precautions and Contraindications

While the FDA has approved Saphris to treat certain mental disorders, it is not approved for treating people who have dementia-related psychosis.

Research shows that older people with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs like Saphris have an increased risk of dying.

Using Atypical Antipsychotics for Treatments

If you have a history of asenapine allergy, your doctor won’t prescribe Saphris to you.

Signs of an allergic reaction to asenapine include:

As there are not a lot of studies on the safety of Saphris during pregnancy and breastfeeding, Saphris would only be used during pregnancy if the benefit clearly outweighs the potential risks.

Some other common types of atypical antipsychotics include:

Dosage is usually based on your medical condition, personal needs, tolerability to the drug, and other medication you might be taking.

Modifications

They are typically started at a dosage of 2.5 milligrams twice daily, but this can be increased to as high as 20 milligrams daily depending on the child’s needs and response to treatment.

How to Take and Store

Saphris is a sublingual tablet, this means that it can be easily absorbed in your mouth.

When taking this medication it’s important to put the whole pill under your tongue and let your saliva dissolve it.

Do not swallow it whole, break it up or chew it. Also, it’s best to avoid eating or drinking anything for up to 10 minutes after taking this medication.

You should store the medication in a cool dry place away from children and pets. You should use dry hands when taking this medication.

Most people who use Saphris do not experience any severe side effects. Before prescribing it to you, your doctor would have examined your medical and family history to determine if it’s the right medication for you and if you are at any increased risk for side effects.

More severe side effects typically occur as a result of contraindications with other medications or other underlying medical conditions.

Common

Some of the most common side effects you might experience when using Saphris include:

Often these side effects will diminish on their own over time. However, if they persist or become more bothersome, you should speak to your doctor about it.

Severe

People using Saphris may experience some severe side effects such as:

Saphris can potentially lower your blood pressure, particularly if you are on other medications that affect blood pressure.

If you are already on antihypertensive drugs, Saphris may enhance some of their effects. It’s important to monitor your blood pressure if you are using both medications.

Neuroleptic Malignant SyndromeIn rare cases, some people who use Saphris might be at an increased risk of developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).NMS is a rare but potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic drugs like Saphris. Symptoms of this condition include high fever, cardiac dysrhythmia, irregular blood pressure or pulse, and muscle rigidity.If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor immediately. If a diagnosis of NMS is made, your doctor will immediately discontinue your use of Saphris.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

In rare cases, some people who use Saphris might be at an increased risk of developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).NMS is a rare but potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic drugs like Saphris. Symptoms of this condition include high fever, cardiac dysrhythmia, irregular blood pressure or pulse, and muscle rigidity.If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor immediately. If a diagnosis of NMS is made, your doctor will immediately discontinue your use of Saphris.

In rare cases, some people who use Saphris might be at an increased risk of developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

NMS is a rare but potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic drugs like Saphris. Symptoms of this condition include high fever, cardiac dysrhythmia, irregular blood pressure or pulse, and muscle rigidity.If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor immediately. If a diagnosis of NMS is made, your doctor will immediately discontinue your use of Saphris.

In some people, Saphris might make it easier to become dehydrated and overheated. Watch for signs of excess body temperature and dehydration, including heavy sweating, nausea, dizziness, and headache.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asenapine for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.Current Psychiatry. 2009 December;8(12):75-85Plosker GL, Deeks ED.Asenapine: a review in schizophrenia.CNS Drugs. 2016;30(7):655-666. doi:10.1007/s40263-016-0363-2Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (Acute mania or maintenance).NPS MedicineWise.Maust DT, Kim HM, Seyfried LS, et al.Antipsychotics, other psychotropics, and the risk of death in patients with dementia: number needed to harm.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(5):438-445. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3018Research C for DE and. FDA Drug Safety Communication:Serious allergic reactions reported with the use of Saphris (Asenapine maleate). FDA.Berman BD.Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a review for neurohospitalists. The Neurohospitalist. 2011;1(1):41-47.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.Additional ReadingHow saphris® (Asenapine) can help– treatment for schizophrenia.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asenapine for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.Current Psychiatry. 2009 December;8(12):75-85Plosker GL, Deeks ED.Asenapine: a review in schizophrenia.CNS Drugs. 2016;30(7):655-666. doi:10.1007/s40263-016-0363-2Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (Acute mania or maintenance).NPS MedicineWise.Maust DT, Kim HM, Seyfried LS, et al.Antipsychotics, other psychotropics, and the risk of death in patients with dementia: number needed to harm.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(5):438-445. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3018Research C for DE and. FDA Drug Safety Communication:Serious allergic reactions reported with the use of Saphris (Asenapine maleate). FDA.Berman BD.Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a review for neurohospitalists. The Neurohospitalist. 2011;1(1):41-47.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.Additional ReadingHow saphris® (Asenapine) can help– treatment for schizophrenia.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Asenapine for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.Current Psychiatry. 2009 December;8(12):75-85Plosker GL, Deeks ED.Asenapine: a review in schizophrenia.CNS Drugs. 2016;30(7):655-666. doi:10.1007/s40263-016-0363-2Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (Acute mania or maintenance).NPS MedicineWise.Maust DT, Kim HM, Seyfried LS, et al.Antipsychotics, other psychotropics, and the risk of death in patients with dementia: number needed to harm.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(5):438-445. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3018Research C for DE and. FDA Drug Safety Communication:Serious allergic reactions reported with the use of Saphris (Asenapine maleate). FDA.Berman BD.Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a review for neurohospitalists. The Neurohospitalist. 2011;1(1):41-47.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

Asenapine for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.Current Psychiatry. 2009 December;8(12):75-85

Plosker GL, Deeks ED.Asenapine: a review in schizophrenia.CNS Drugs. 2016;30(7):655-666. doi:10.1007/s40263-016-0363-2

Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (Acute mania or maintenance).NPS MedicineWise.

Maust DT, Kim HM, Seyfried LS, et al.Antipsychotics, other psychotropics, and the risk of death in patients with dementia: number needed to harm.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(5):438-445. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3018

Research C for DE and. FDA Drug Safety Communication:Serious allergic reactions reported with the use of Saphris (Asenapine maleate). FDA.

Berman BD.Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a review for neurohospitalists. The Neurohospitalist. 2011;1(1):41-47.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

How saphris® (Asenapine) can help– treatment for schizophrenia.

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