Alkermes’ Antipsychotic Combo Faces US FDA Questions On Metabolic Effects, Opioid-Related Safety

ALKS 3831, which combines olanzapine with the mu opioid receptor antagonist samidorphan, was associated with less weight gain compared to olanzapine alone but showed no benefit on metabolic parameters; in advisory committee briefing documents, agency raises theoretical safety concerns about drug’s opioid antagonistic effects in real-world settings.

Analog weight scale isolated
ALKS 3831 resulted in less weight gain compared to use of olanzapine alone. • Source: Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration will ask its external experts to consider whether the olanzapine-related weight gain mitigated with Alkermes plc’s antipsychotic ALKS 3831 (olanzapine/samidorphan) is clinically meaningful, and whether the potential real-world risks associated with the drug’s opioid antagonist component can be addressed through labeling.

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