Cariprazine is a new generation antipsychotic. It is a dopamine D2- and D3-receptor partial agonist, with higher affinity for D3 receptors, as opposed to the D2 antagonism of most older antipsychotic agents. Although cariprazine was associated with a higher incidence of akathisia and extrapyramidal side effects than placebo, it seems not to cause weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, prolactin increase, or corrected QT prolongation. Cariprazine’s high selectivity towards D3 receptors could prove to reduce side effects associated with the other antipsychotic drugs, because D3 receptors are mainly located in the ventral striatum and would not incur the same motor side effects (EPS) as drugs that act on dorsal striatum dopamine receptors. Cariprazine also acts on 5-HT1A receptors with a considerably lower affinity than the affinity to dopamine receptors and it has been noted to produce pro-cognitive effects
It is not yet marketed in India but is available through some online sources. Would love to hear from those who have used it.
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