Although the exact mechanism of action of brexpiprazole in psychiatric disorders has not been fully elucidated, the efficacy of brexpiprazole may be attributed to combined partial agonist activity at 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors, and antagonist activity at 5-HT2A receptors. Brexpiprazole is predominantly, a 5-HT1A, D2, and D3 partial agonist and a 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT7, alpha1A, alpha1B, alpha1D, and alpha2C antagonist with a chemical formula of 7-{4-[4-(1-Benzothiophen-4-yl) piperazin-1-yl]butoxy}quinolin-2(1H)-one. Brexpiprazole is indicated as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. It is also indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in patients 13 years of age and older. Brexpiprazole is also indicated for the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Brexpiprazole Serotonin Action Pathway References