New drugs in psychiatry - cariprazine, lurasidone, esketamine

Abstract Introduction: Invariably, the search for an “ideal drug” in psychiatry has been going for years, one that is safe and effective, prevents relapse and shows the least possible side effects. Material and methods: The aim of this study authors is to draw attention to new drugs used in psychiatry- cariprazine, lurazidone and esketamine, their mechanism of action, dosage, the most common side effects and metabolism. The article reviews the research and works on these drugs available in Google Scholar and PubMed databases and the characteristics of medical products on years 2010-2021. Results: Cariprazine is a drug registered in Poland for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults since July,13 2017. In the world, it is additionally used in the treatment of manic and mixed episodes in the course of bipolar disorder, depression in the course of bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. Lurasidone in Poland is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients and adolescents from 13 years of age. In the world it is also used to treat depression in bipolar disorder, in some cases off-label in the treatment of mania in bipolar disorder and irritability and anger in autism spectrum disorders. Esketamine in nasal spray in combination with an oral antidepressant has been approved in the US for the treatment of depression in adults for whom other antidepressants have not benefited, in Poland, it is also used in such an indication. Conclusions: The action profile of these drugs, the research to date and the results of treatment with these drugs are very promising. The drugs are safe and well tolerated. However, it is clinical practice that will verify the usefulness and effectiveness of treatment with them and show the effects of long-term therapies with their use.