New Agents in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: What Innovations and in What Areas of Psychopathology?
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) April 30, 2025 Paola Bozzatello, Roberta Novelli, Rebecca Schisano et al. 6 citations
Many patients with psychiatric disorders do not respond to existing treatments. About one-third of schizophrenia patients are treatment-resistant, and antidepressants work for only about half of patients with depression. This narrative review covers new drugs, new indications, and new formulations approved by the FDA and EMA from 2018 onward for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. New approvals include lumateperone, olanzapine/samidorphan, and xanomeline/trospium for schizophrenia; esketamine for treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidal ideation; and brexanolone and zuranolone for postpartum depression. No new drugs were approved for anxiety disorders or OCD. The review highlights efforts to improve outcomes for resistant patients and reduce side effects.