Remoxipride

Remoxipride is an atypical antipsychotic and dopamine antagonist that was primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It was developed by AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company.

Pharmacology

Remoxipride acts as a selective D2 and D3 receptor antagonist. It has high affinity for these receptors and works by blocking their activity. This action is believed to be responsible for the drug's antipsychotic effects.

Clinical Use

Remoxipride was primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It was considered an atypical antipsychotic due to its low risk of causing extrapyramidal symptoms, which are often associated with older, typical antipsychotics.

Side Effects

Like all medications, Remoxipride can cause side effects. The most common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. In rare cases, it can cause neutropenia, a condition characterized by low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.

Withdrawal

Remoxipride was withdrawn from the market due to the risk of causing aplastic anemia, a serious blood disorder. This decision was made after post-marketing surveillance data showed a higher than expected number of cases of aplastic anemia in patients taking the drug.

See Also

• Antipsychotic
• Schizophrenia
• AstraZeneca
• Dopamine antagonist