Sertindole
Encyclopedia
Sertindole is an antipsychotic
medication. Sertindole was developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck and marketed under license by Abbott Labs. Like other atypical antipsychotic
s, it has activity at dopamine
and serotonin
receptors in the brain. It is used in the treatment of schizophrenia
. It is classified chemically as a phenylindole derivative.
receptors. The effect on D2 receptors is more pronounced in the limbic dopamine system
compared with the nigrostriatal system. This is supported by findings from clinical trials that provide evidence for significantly fewer extra pyramidal side effects
than haloperidol
and olanzapine
. Weight gain is moderate, there is no diabetogenic effect, or effects on cholesterol and triglycerides, or prolactin blood levels reported.
In contrast to other antipsychotics, sertindole is not associated with sedative effects; sedation may add to the cognitive problems inherent in schizophrenia. Further to that, studies show that sertindole effectively normalizes laboratory induced cognitive impairment in animals, and that sertindole treatment has shown long lasting improvements in elementary cognitive processes in humans. This advantage may be linked to the high 5HT6a receptor affinity.
(FDA) approval for sertindole in 1996, but withdrew this application in 1998 following concerns over the increased risk of sudden death from QTc prolongation
. In a trial of 2000 patients on taking sertindole, 27 patients died unexpectedly, including 13 sudden deaths. Lundbeck cites the results of the Sertindole Cohort Prospective (SCoP) study of 10,000 patients to support its claim that although sertindole does increase the QTc interval, this is not associated with increased rates of cardiac arrhythmias, and that patients on sertindole had the same overall mortality rate as those on risperidone
. Nevertheless in April 2009 an FDA advisory panel voted 13-0 that sertindole was effective in the treatment of schizophrenia but 12-1 that it had not been shown to be acceptably safe. , the drug has not been approved by the FDA for use in the USA.
in 1998 and the drug was withdrawn from the market. In 2002, based on new data, the EMA's CHMP suggested that Sertindole could be reintroduced for restricted use in clinical trials, with strong safeguards including extensive contraindications and warnings for patients at risk of cardiac dysrhythmias, a recommended reduction in maximum dose from 24 mg to 20 mg in all but exceptional cases, and extensive ECG monitoring requirement before and during treatment. The marketing ban was lifted in 2005.
Antipsychotic
An antipsychotic is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication primarily used to manage psychosis , particularly in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s...
medication. Sertindole was developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck and marketed under license by Abbott Labs. Like other atypical antipsychotic
Atypical antipsychotic
The atypical antipsychotics are a group of antipsychotic tranquilizing drugs used to treat psychiatric conditions. Some atypical antipsychotics are FDA approved for use in the treatment of schizophrenia...
s, it has activity at dopamine
Dopamine
Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter present in a wide variety of animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the brain, this substituted phenethylamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating the five known types of dopamine receptors—D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5—and their...
and serotonin
Serotonin
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
receptors in the brain. It is used in the treatment of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
. It is classified chemically as a phenylindole derivative.
Pharmacology
Sertindole has restricted receptor and brain site activity. It mainly affects dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2 and α1-adrenergicAlpha-1 adrenergic receptor
The alpha-1 adrenergic receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor associated with the Gq heterotrimeric G-protein. It consists of three highly homologous subtypes, including α1A-, α1B-, and α1D-adrenergic...
receptors. The effect on D2 receptors is more pronounced in the limbic dopamine system
Limbic system
The limbic system is a set of brain structures including the hippocampus, amygdala, anterior thalamic nuclei, septum, limbic cortex and fornix, which seemingly support a variety of functions including emotion, behavior, long term memory, and olfaction. The term "limbic" comes from the Latin...
compared with the nigrostriatal system. This is supported by findings from clinical trials that provide evidence for significantly fewer extra pyramidal side effects
Extrapyramidal symptoms
The extrapyramidal system can be affected in a number of ways, which are revealed in a range of extrapyramidal symptoms , also known as extrapyramidal side-effects , such as akinesia and akathisia .Extrapyramidal symptoms are various movement disorders such as acute dystonic reactions,...
than haloperidol
Haloperidol
Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic. It is in the butyrophenone class of antipsychotic medications and has pharmacological effects similar to the phenothiazines....
and olanzapine
Olanzapine
Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic, approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder...
. Weight gain is moderate, there is no diabetogenic effect, or effects on cholesterol and triglycerides, or prolactin blood levels reported.
In contrast to other antipsychotics, sertindole is not associated with sedative effects; sedation may add to the cognitive problems inherent in schizophrenia. Further to that, studies show that sertindole effectively normalizes laboratory induced cognitive impairment in animals, and that sertindole treatment has shown long lasting improvements in elementary cognitive processes in humans. This advantage may be linked to the high 5HT6a receptor affinity.
USA
Abbott Labs first applied for U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) approval for sertindole in 1996, but withdrew this application in 1998 following concerns over the increased risk of sudden death from QTc prolongation
Long QT syndrome
The long QT syndrome is a rare inborn heart condition in which delayed repolarization of the heart following a heartbeat increases the risk of episodes of torsade de pointes . These episodes may lead to palpitations, fainting and sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation...
. In a trial of 2000 patients on taking sertindole, 27 patients died unexpectedly, including 13 sudden deaths. Lundbeck cites the results of the Sertindole Cohort Prospective (SCoP) study of 10,000 patients to support its claim that although sertindole does increase the QTc interval, this is not associated with increased rates of cardiac arrhythmias, and that patients on sertindole had the same overall mortality rate as those on risperidone
Risperidone
Risperidone is a second generation or atypical antipsychotic, sold under the trade name . It is used to treat schizophrenia , schizoaffective disorder, the mixed and manic states associated with bipolar disorder, and irritability in people with autism...
. Nevertheless in April 2009 an FDA advisory panel voted 13-0 that sertindole was effective in the treatment of schizophrenia but 12-1 that it had not been shown to be acceptably safe. , the drug has not been approved by the FDA for use in the USA.
Europe
In Europe, sertindole was approved and marketed in 19 countries from 1996, but its marketing authorization was suspended by the European Medicines AgencyEuropean Medicines Agency
The European Medicines Agency is a European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products. From 1995 to 2004, the European Medicines Agency was known as European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.Roughly parallel to the U.S...
in 1998 and the drug was withdrawn from the market. In 2002, based on new data, the EMA's CHMP suggested that Sertindole could be reintroduced for restricted use in clinical trials, with strong safeguards including extensive contraindications and warnings for patients at risk of cardiac dysrhythmias, a recommended reduction in maximum dose from 24 mg to 20 mg in all but exceptional cases, and extensive ECG monitoring requirement before and during treatment. The marketing ban was lifted in 2005.