An inhalation drug for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder???

Posted by Marissa M. Patient Expert

Oh no they didn't.From Alexza Pharmaceuticals' recent PR:

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has initiated its second Phase 3 clinical trial with AZ-004 (Staccato(R) loxapine). AZ-004 isan inhalation product candidatebeing developed for the treatment of acute agitation in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Alexza believes the novel, non-invasive nature and rapid pharmacokinetic (PK) properties resulting frominhaled loxapine administration via the Staccato system(click on the photo to the right to see an enlargelarement)have the potential to make AZ-004 a viable product to treat acute agitation.

The supposed benefits:

Rapid onset
Ease of use
Consistent dose and particle size
Broad applicability

Is this pharmaceutical companyreallydeveloping a product to treat schizophrenic and bipolar disorder symptoms by inhaling? I thought theinjectable Risperdalwas bad.Check out how the Staccato system works. It blows my mind that psych drugs are being developed for injection and inhalation.

AZ-004 is in Phase III of clinical trials.

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zeldasmom

There are a number of medications that have been FDA approved that are administered in via inhalation. This will be an interesting one to watch develop. Thanks for posting!

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Kate McLaughlin.

If you've ever been caught in a state of extreme agitation, or seen someone you love trapped in a mixed state, you'd be thrilled by this news.

These drugs are not for most people, but are life-saving for those diagnosed with these illnesses. It is during these periods of extreme agitation that most suicides occur. An inhalant would be fast-acting compared to the time it takes to metabolize oral meds or get to an emergency room for injections.

For those in crisis, these drugs are miraculous.

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An inhalation drug for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder???

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