SCHIZOPHRENIA Factsheet March 2019

What is mosapramine? Second generation antipsychotics (sometimes referred to as ‘atypical’ antipsychotics) such as mosapramine are a newer class of antipsychotic medication than first generation ‘typical’ antipsychotics. Second generation antipsychotics are NeuRA (Neuroscience effective for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. It is sometimes claimed that Research Australia) is one of the largest they are more effective than first generation antipsychotics in treating the negative independent medical symptoms of schizophrenia, although the evidence for this is weak. Negative and clinical research symptoms include a lack of ordinary mental activities such as emotional expression, institutes in Australia and an international leader in social engagement, thinking and motivation, whereas positive symptoms include the neurological research. experiences of perceptual abnormalities (hallucinations) and fixed, false, irrational Diseases of the brain and beliefs (delusions). Second generation antipsychotics may also cause less extra- nervous system pose the pyramidal side effects. These include dyskinesias such as repetitive, involuntary, greatest health, economic and purposeless body or facial movements, Parkinsonism (cogwheel muscle rigidity, and social burden of any disease group because they pill-rolling tremor and reduced or slowed movements), akathisia (motor restlessness, are chronic, debilitating and especially in the legs, and resembling agitation) and dystonias such as muscle have no known cures. contractions causing unusual twisting of parts of the body, most often in the neck. Medical research is the These effects are caused by the dopamine receptor antagonist action of these drugs. cornerstone of efforts to advance the health and What is the evidence for mosapramine? wellbeing of families and the community. Our dedicated High quality evidence suggests greater improvement in positive symptoms, but scientists are focussed on not other symptoms, with mosapramine than with second generation antipsychotics transforming their research aripiprazole, perospirone, or quetiapine. However, there are more extrapyramidal into significant and practical benefits for all patients. or movement symptoms, and increased salivation with mosaprimine than with first generation antipsychotics haloperidol, or second generation antipsychotics While we hope you find clocapramine, aripiprazole, perospirone, or quetiapine. There is also a greater risk this information useful, it is always important to of higher prolactin levels with mosapramine than with aripiprazole, perospirone, or discuss any questions quetiapine. about schizophrenia or its treatment with your doctor or other health care provider. For more information see the technical table

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