Chairperson’s Perspective: Incorporating Novel Treatment Options for Schizophrenia Into Clinical Practice - Overcoming Clinical Inertia

Faculty: Jose Rubio, MD

Although dopamine D₂ receptor antagonists have long been the standard treatment for schizophrenia, many patients experience inadequate symptom control or adverse effects that affect adherence. Emerging evidence supports a role for muscarinic M₁/M₄ receptor dysfunction in schizophrenia, leading to the development of therapies with mechanisms distinct from dopamine blockade. This Chairperson’s Perspective reviews clinical data for xanomeline–trospium and discusses practical considerations for integrating muscarinic therapies into practice, including patient selection, treatment sequencing, dosing, and management of gastrointestinal and autonomic adverse effects. Are you prepared to incorporate muscarinic agents into the treatment of schizophrenia? Tune in for an overview of the latest data.