Brexpiprazole (Rexulti): A Pharmacological Treatment for Agitation Associated with Dementia in Alzheimer’s Disease
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Brexpiprazole(Rexulti) last May 11, 2023, as a treatment for Agitation associated with Dementia in Alzheimer’s disease (AAD). The FDA’s approval was based on two phase 3 clinical trials that showed significant improvements in agitation symptoms for patients taking Rexulti compared to those taking a placebo. In April 2024, the Philippine FDA approved the additional indication of Rexulti, 11 months after its approval in the US.
On July 25, 2024, the AAD indication was officially launched for doctors during the Philippine Psychiatric Association Mid-Year Convention at the Marriott Hotel in Clark, Pampanga. Dr. Encarnita Raya-Ampil, a renowned dementia specialist, presented the “Assessment & Management of Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease.” The session was attended by over 400 psychiatrists, neurologists, and neuropsychiatrists across the Philippines.
A follow-up symposium featuring Dr. Ma. Lourdes Joson as the speaker was held at the Dementia Society of the Philippines Annual Convention last October 10, 2024. The event took place at the Queen Margarette Hotel in Lucena City and was attended by 100 healthcare professionals involved in the care and management of dementia patients.
Caring for an individual with dementia, particularly those with AAD, presents unique challenges. It can be difficult when a loved one forgets things, becomes confused, or struggles to communicate. In collaboration with the Institute for Dementia Care Asia (IDCA), Purple Angel Southeast Asia, and Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc. (OSPI), Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OPPI) organized the Dementia Awareness Walk, followed by a lecture on “Identifying and Managing Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia.” The event took place at Il Corso, Festival Mall, Cebu City.
Approximately 60% of individuals with dementia currently live in low- and middle-income countries, including the Philippines. As of 2020, about 7.5% of the Philippine population was aged 60 and older, and this proportion is projected to rise to 12.8% by 2035 1. Dementia symptoms are often viewed as a normal part of aging, making it essential to conduct ongoing educational campaigns to raise awareness and encourage earlier consultation with healthcare professionals for more effective management of the condition in its early stages.
1 Anlacan et. al. Current Status and Challenges in Dementia Care in the Philippines: A Scoping Review. J Alzheimers Disease. 2024 Feb 13;97(4):1533–1543. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230845