Partial agonists of dopamine receptors: mechanisms and clinical effects of aripiprazole, brexpiprazole and cariprazine (Cookson, Pimm, 2023)

Cookson J., Pimm J.

BJPsych Advances 2023;29(2): 145-150.

Aripiprazole, brexpiprazole and cariprazine are partial dopamine (and serotonin) agonists developed as novel antipsychotics. This article discusses their pharmacology, evidence on their licensed and off-licence uses (including psychosis, mania, bipolar depression, Tourette syndrome and autism spectrum disorder) and side-effects. In schizophrenia, they have a low risk of Parkinsonism or hyperprolactinaemia, cause modest increases in body weight and are of moderate efficacy.Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.