Published online Jun 10, 2019. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v9.i3.47
Peer-review started: February 14, 2019
First decision: March 8, 2019
Revised: April 23, 2019
Accepted: May 11, 2019
Article in press: May 11, 2019
Published online: June 10, 2019
The aim of this editorial is to evaluate the evidence for using pimavanserin for the treatment of Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We only identified two published trials that evaluated the use of pimavanserin among individuals with PDP. Both studies found that pimavanserin improved psychotic symptoms among individuals with PDP when compared to placebo. Pimavanserin was fairly well tolerated in both studies and did not appear to cause significant sedation or worsen motor symptoms among individuals with PDP. However, given the limited data, additional confirmatory studies are required before pimavanserin can be considered as a first line agent for the treatment of psychotic symptoms among individuals with PD.
Core tip: Pimavanserin is an atypical antipsychotic that was the first medication to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP). There are only two published trials that have evaluated the use of pimavanserin among individuals with PDP. Both studies are of good quality and found that pimavanserin improves psychotic symptoms among individuals with PDP when compared to placebo. Additionally, pimavanserin was fairly well tolerated in both studies and did not appear to cause significant sedation or worsen motor symptoms among individuals with PDP.