Sycrest

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ANNEX I

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

 



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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Sycrest 5 mg sublingual tablets

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each sublingual tablet contains 5 mg asenapine (as maleate).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Sublingual tablet
Round, white to off-white, sublingual tablets debossed with “5” on one side.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Sycrest is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar I 
disorder in adults.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

The recommended starting dose of Sycrest as monotherapy is 5 mg twice daily. One dose should be 
taken in the morning and one dose should be taken in the evening. The dose can be increased to 10 mg 
twice daily based on individual clinical response and tolerability. See section 5.1. For combination 
therapy a starting dose of 5 mg twice daily is recommended. Depending on the clinical response and 
tolerability in the individual patient, the dose can be increased to 10 mg twice daily.

Special populations

Elderly
Sycrest should be used with care in the elderly. Limited data on efficacy in patients 65 years of age 
and older are available. Available pharmacokinetic data are described in section 5.2.

Renal impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment. There is no experience with 
asenapine in patients with severe renal impairment who have a creatinine clearance less than 
15 mL/min.

Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild hepatic impairment. The possibility of elevated 
asenapine plasma levels cannot be excluded in some patients with moderate hepatic impairment 
(Child-Pugh B) and caution is advised. In subjects with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), a 
7-fold increase in asenapine exposure was observed. Thus, Sycrest is not recommended in patients 
with severe hepatic impairment. 

Paediatric population
A pharmacokinetic study and a short term efficacy and safety study were performed in a paediatric 
population (ages 10-17 years) with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Long 

 



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term safety in this population was explored in a 50-week, open-label, uncontrolled extension study. 
Currently available data are described in sections 4.8, 5.1 and 5.2 but no recommendation on a 
posology can be made.

Method of administration

The tablet should not be removed from the blister until ready to take it. Dry hands should be used 
when touching the tablet. The tablet should not be pushed through the tablet pack. The tablet pack 
should not be cut or torn. The coloured tab should be peeled back and the tablet should be removed 
gently. The tablet should not be crushed.

To ensure optimal absorption, the Sycrest sublingual tablet should be placed under the tongue and 
allowed to dissolve completely. The tablet will dissolve in saliva within seconds. Sycrest sublingual 
tablets should not be chewed or swallowed. Eating and drinking should be avoided for 10 minutes 
after administration.
When used in combination with other medicinal products, Sycrest should be taken last.

Treatment with Sycrest is not advised in patients who are unable to comply with this method of 
administration, as the bioavailability of asenapine when swallowed is low (< 2 % with an oral tablet 
formulation).

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic substances are at an 
increased risk of death.

Sycrest is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis and is not 
recommended for use in this particular group of patients.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), characterised by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic 
instability, altered consciousness and elevated serum creatine phosphokinase levels, has been reported 
to occur with antipsychotics, including asenapine. Additional clinical signs may include 
myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis) and acute renal failure. 

If a patient develops signs and symptoms indicative of NMS Sycrest must be discontinued.

Seizures
In clinical trials, cases of seizure were occasionally reported during treatment with asenapine. 
Therefore, Sycrest should be used with caution in patients who have a history of seizure disorder or 
have conditions associated with seizures.

Suicide
The possibility of a suicide attempt is inherent in psychotic illnesses and bipolar disorder and close 
supervision of high-risk patients should accompany treatment. 

Orthostatic hypotension
Asenapine may induce orthostatic hypotension and syncope, especially early in treatment, probably 
reflecting its α1-adrenergic antagonist properties. Elderly patients are particularly at risk for 
experiencing orthostatic hypotension (see section 4.8). In clinical trials, cases of syncope were 
occasionally reported during treatment with Sycrest. Sycrest should be used with caution in elderly 

 



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patients and in patients with known cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction 
or ischemia, conduction abnormalities), cerebrovascular disease, or conditions that predispose the 
patient to hypotension (e.g., dehydration and hypovolemia).

Tardive dyskinesia
Medicinal products with dopamine receptor antagonistic properties have been associated with the 
induction of tardive dyskinesia characterised by rhythmical, involuntary movements, predominantly 
of the tongue and/or face. In clinical trials, cases of tardive dyskinesia were occasionally reported 
during treatment with asenapine. The onset of extrapyramidal symptoms is a risk factor for tardive 
dyskinesia. If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient on Sycrest, discontinuation 
of treatment should be considered.

Hyperprolactinaemia
Increases in prolactin levels were observed in some patients with Sycrest. In clinical trials, there were 
few adverse reactions related to abnormal prolactin levels reported.

QT interval
Clinically relevant QT prolongation does not appear to be associated with asenapine. Caution should 
be exercised when Sycrest is prescribed in patients with known cardiovascular disease or family 
history of QT prolongation, and in concomitant use with other medicinal products thought to prolong 
the QT interval.

Hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus
Hyperglycaemia or exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes has occasionally been reported during 
treatment with asenapine. Assessment of the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and 
glucose abnormalities is complicated by the possibility of an increased background risk of diabetes 
mellitus in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and the increasing incidence of diabetes 
mellitus in the general population. Appropriate clinical monitoring is advisable in diabetic patients 
and in patients with risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus.

Dysphagia
Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotic treatment. Cases of 
dysphagia were occasionally reported in patients treated with Sycrest.

Body temperature regulation
Disruption of the body’s ability to reduce core body temperature has been attributed to antipsychotic 
medicinal products. From the clinical trials, it is concluded that clinically relevant body temperature 
dysregulation does not appear to be associated with asenapine. Appropriate care is advised when 
prescribing Sycrest for patients who will be experiencing conditions that may contribute to an 
elevation in core body temperature, e.g. exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, receiving
concomitant medicinal products with anticholinergic activity or being subject to dehydration.

Patients with severe hepatic impairment
Asenapine exposure is increased 7-fold in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). 
Therefore, Sycrest is not recommended in such patients.

Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies
Physicians should weigh the risks versus the benefits when prescribing Sycrest to patients with 
Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) since both groups may be at increased risk 
of neuroleptic malignant syndrome as well as having an increased sensitivity to antipsychotics. 
Manifestation of this increased sensitivity can include confusion, obtundation, postural instability 
with frequent falls, in addition to extrapyramidal symptoms.

 



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Falls
Asenapine may cause adverse effects such as somnolence, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness and 
extrapyramidal symptoms, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures or other injuries. 
Patients at risk for fall should be evaluated prior to prescribing asenapine.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Given the primary effects of asenapine on the central nervous system (CNS) (see section 4.8), caution 
should be used when it is taken in combination with other centrally acting medicinal products. 
Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol while taking Sycrest. 

Potential for other medicinal products to affect Sycrest
Asenapine is cleared primarily through direct glucuronidation by UGT1A4 and oxidative metabolism 
by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes (predominantly CYP1A2). The potential effects of inhibitors and an 
inducer of several of these enzyme pathways on asenapine pharmacokinetics were studied, 
specifically fluvoxamine (CYP1A2 inhibitor), paroxetine (CYP2D6 inhibitor), imipramine 
(CYP1A2/2C19/3A4 inhibitor), cimetidine (CYP3A4/2D6/1A2 inhibitor), carbamazepine 
(CYP3A4/1A2 inducer) and valproate (UGT inhibitor). Except for fluvoxamine, none of the 
interacting medicinal products resulted in clinically relevant alterations in asenapine 
pharmacokinetics. 

During combined administration with a single dose of asenapine 5 mg, fluvoxamine 25 mg twice daily 
resulted in a 29 % increase in asenapine AUC. The full therapeutic dose of fluvoxamine would be 
expected to produce a greater increase in asenapine plasma concentrations. Therefore, 
co-administration of asenapine and fluvoxamine should be approached with caution.

Potential for Sycrest to affect other medicinal products
Because of its α1-adrenergic antagonism with potential for inducing orthostatic hypotension (see 
section 4.4), Sycrest may enhance the effects of certain antihypertensive agents.

Asenapine may antagonise the effect of levodopa and dopamine agonists. If this combination is 
deemed necessary, the lowest effective dose of each treatment should be prescribed. 

In vitro studies indicate that asenapine weakly inhibits CYP2D6. Clinical drug interaction studies 
investigating the effects of CYP2D6 inhibition by asenapine showed the following results:

 Following co-administration of dextromethorphan and asenapine in healthy subjects, the ratio 
of dextrorphan/dextromethorphan (DX/DM) as a marker of CYP2D6 activity was measured. 
Indicative of CYP2D6 inhibition, treatment with asenapine 5 mg twice daily resulted in a 
fractional decrease in DX/DM ratio to 0.43. In the same study, treatment with paroxetine 20 mg 
daily decreased the DX/DM ratio to 0.032.

 In a separate study, co-administration of a single 75 mg dose of imipramine with a single 5 mg 
dose of asenapine did not affect the plasma concentrations of the metabolite desipramine (a 
CYP2D6 substrate). 

 Co-administration of a single 20 mg dose of paroxetine (a CYP2D6 substrate and inhibitor) 
during treatment with 5 mg asenapine twice daily in 15 healthy male subjects resulted in an 
almost 2-fold increase in paroxetine exposure. 

In vivo asenapine appears to be at most a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6. However, asenapine may 
enhance the inhibitory effects of paroxetine on its own metabolism.

Therefore, Sycrest should be co-administered cautiously with medicinal products that are both 
substrates and inhibitors for CYP2D6.

 



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4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
There are no adequate data from the use of Sycrest in pregnant women. Asenapine was not teratogenic 
in animal studies. Maternal and embryo toxic effects were found in animal studies (see section 5.3). 

Newborn infants exposed to antipsychotics (including Sycrest) during the third trimester of pregnancy 
are at risk of adverse reactions including extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms that may vary 
in severity and duration following delivery. There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, 
hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, or feeding disorder in newborn infants. 
Consequently, newborn infants should be monitored carefully. 

Sycrest should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the woman requires 
treatment with asenapine and only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding
Asenapine was excreted in milk of rats during lactation. It is not known whether asenapine or its 
metabolites are excreted in human milk. Breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with 
Sycrest.

Fertility
No impairment of fertility has been observed in nonclinical studies (see section 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Asenapine may cause somnolence and sedation. Therefore, patients should be cautioned about driving 
and using machines until they are reasonably certain that Sycrest therapy does not affect them 
adversely.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile
The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of asenapine in 
clinical trials were somnolence and anxiety. Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. 
Other serious ADRs are discussed in more detail in section 4.4.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The incidences of the ADRs associated with asenapine therapy are tabulated below. The table is based 
on adverse reactions reported during clinical trials and/or post-marketing use.
All ADRs are listed by system organ class and frequency; very common (≥ 1/10), common ( 1/100 to 
< 1/10), uncommon ( 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare ( 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000) and not known (cannot be 
estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, ADRs are presented in order of 
decreasing seriousness.

System organ 
class

Very 
common

Common Uncommon Rare Not known

Blood and 
lymphatic 
disorders

Neutropenia

Immune system 
disorders

Allergic 
reactions

Metabolism and 
nutrition 
disorders

Weight 
increased
Increased 
appetite

Hyperglycaemia

 



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System organ 
class

Very 
common

Common Uncommon Rare Not known

Psychiatric 
disorders

Anxiety

Nervous system 
disorders

Somnolenc
e

Dystonia
Akathisia 
Dyskinesia 
Parkinsonism 
Sedation 
Dizziness 
Dysgeusia

Syncope
Seizure 
Extrapyramidal 
disorder
Dysarthria
Restless legs 
syndrome

Neuroleptic 
malignant 
syndrome 

Eye disorders Accommodation 
disorder 

Cardiac 
disorders

Sinus 
bradycardia
Bundle branch 
block
Electrocardio-
gram QT 
prolonged
Sinus 
tachycardia

Vascular 
disorders

Orthostatic 
hypotension 
Hypotension

Respiratory, 
thoracic and 
mediastinal 
disorders

Pulmonary 
embolism

Gastrointestinal 
disorders

Hypoaesthesia 
oral
Nausea
Salivary 
hypersecretion

Swollen tongue
Dysphagia 
Glossodynia 
Paraesthesia 
oral
Oral mucosal 
lesions 
(ulcerations, 
blistering and 
inflammation)

Hepatobiliary 
disorders

Alanine 
aminotransferas
e increased

Injury, 
poisoning and 
procedural 
complications

Falls*

Musculoskeleta
l and 
connective 
tissue disorders

Muscle rigidity Rhabdomyolysis

 



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System organ 
class

Very 
common

Common Uncommon Rare Not known

Pregnancy, 
puerperium and 
perinatal 
conditions

Drug
withdrawal 
syndrome 
neonatal 
(see 4.6)

Reproductive 
system and 
breast disorders 

Sexual 
dysfunction 
Amenorrhoea

Gynaecomastia
Galactorrhoea

General 
disorders and 
administration 
site conditions

Fatigue

* See subsection “Falls” below

Description of selected adverse reactions

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
In clinical trials, the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms in asenapine-treated patients was higher 
than placebo (15.4 % vs 11.0 %).

From the short-term (6 weeks) schizophrenia trials there appears to be a dose-response relationship 
for akathisia in patients treated with asenapine, and for parkinsonism there was an increasing trend 
with higher doses.

Based on a small pharmacokinetic study, paediatric patients appeared to be more sensitive to dystonia 
with initial dosing with asenapine when a gradual up-titration schedule was not followed (see 
section 5.2). The incidence of dystonia in paediatric clinical trials using a gradual up-titration was
similar to that seen in adult trials.

Weight increase
In the combined short-term and long-term schizophrenia and bipolar mania trials in adults, the mean 
change in body weight for asenapine was 0.8 kg. The proportion of subjects with clinically significant 
weight gain (≥ 7 % weight gain from baseline at endpoint) in the short-term schizophrenia trials was 
5.3 % for asenapine compared to 2.3 % for placebo. The proportion of subjects with clinically 
significant weight gain (≥ 7 % weight gain from baseline at endpoint) in the short-term, flexible-dose
bipolar mania trials was 6.5 % for asenapine compared to 0.6 % for placebo.

In a 3-week, placebo-controlled, randomized, fixed-dose efficacy and safety trial in paediatric patients 
10 to 17 years of age with bipolar I disorder, the mean change from baseline to endpoint in weight for 
placebo and asenapine 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg twice daily, was 0.48, 1.72, 1.62, and 1.44 kg, 
respectively. The proportion of subjects with clinically significant weight gain (≥ 7 % weight gain 
from baseline at Day 21) was 14.1 % for asenapine 2.5 mg twice daily, 8.9 % for asenapine 5 mg 
twice daily, and 9.2 % for asenapine 10 mg twice daily, compared to 1.1 % for placebo. In the 
long-term extension trial (50 weeks), a total of 34.8 % of subjects experienced clinically significant 
weight increase (i.e., ≥ 7 % increase in body weight at endpoint). Overall mean (SD) weight gain at 
study endpoint was 3.5 (5.76) kg.

Orthostatic hypotension
The incidence of orthostatic hypotension in elderly subjects was 4.1 % compared to 0.3 % in the 
combined phase 2/3 trial population.

Falls
Falls may occur as a result of one or more adverse events such as the following: Somnolence, 
Orthostatic hypotension, Dizziness, Extrapyramidal symptoms.

 



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Hepatic enzymes
Transient, asymptomatic elevations of hepatic transaminases, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate 
transferase (AST) have been seen commonly, especially in early treatment.

Other findings
Cerebrovascular events have been reported in patients treated with asenapine but there is no evidence 
of any excess incidence over what is expected in adults between 18 and 65 years of age.

Asenapine has anaesthetic properties. Oral hypoaesthesia and oral paraesthesia may occur directly 
after administration and usually resolves within 1 hour.

There have been post-marketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with 
asenapine, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, swollen tongue and swollen 
throat (pharyngeal oedema).

Paediatric population
Asenapine is not indicated for the treatment of children and adolescent patients below 18 years (see 
section 4.2).

The clinically relevant adverse experiences identified in the paediatric bipolar and schizophrenia trials 
were similar to those observed in adult bipolar and schizophrenia trials.

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5 % and at least twice the rate of placebo) reported in 
paediatric patients with bipolar I disorder were somnolence, sedation, dizziness, dysgeusia, 
hypoaesthesia oral, paraesthesia oral, nausea, increased appetite, fatigue, and weight increased (see 
Weight increase above).

The most common adverse reactions (proportion of patients  5 % and at least twice placebo) reported
in paediatric patients with schizophrenia were somnolence, sedation, akathisia, dizziness, and 
hypoaesthesia oral. There was a statistically significant higher incidence of patients with ≥ 7 % 
weight gain (from baseline to endpoint) compared to placebo (3.1 %) for Sycrest 2.5 mg twice daily 
(9.5 %) and Sycrest 5 mg twice daily (13.1 %).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It 
allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare 
professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V.

4.9 Overdose

Few cases of overdose were reported in the asenapine program. Reported estimated doses were 
between 15 and 400 mg. In most cases it was not clear if asenapine had been taken sublingually. 
Treatment-related adverse reactions included agitation and confusion, akathisia, orofacial dystonia, 
sedation, and asymptomatic ECG findings (bradycardia, supraventricular complexes, intraventricular 
conduction delay). 

No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with Sycrest. There is no specific 
antidote to Sycrest. The possibility of multiple medicinal product involvement should be considered. 
Cardiovascular monitoring is necessary to detect possible arrhythmias and management of overdose 
should concentrate on supportive therapy, maintaining an adequate airway oxygenation and 
ventilation, and management of symptoms. Hypotension and circulatory collapse should be treated 
with appropriate measures, such as intravenous fluids and/or sympathomimetic agents (epinephrine 
and dopamine should not be used, since beta stimulations may worsen hypotension in the setting of 
Sycrest-induced alpha blockade). In case of severe extrapyramidal symptoms, anticholinergic 

 

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medicinal products should be administered. Close medical supervision and monitoring should 
continue until the patient recovers.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psycholeptics, antipsychotics, ATC code: N05AH05

Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of asenapine is not fully understood. However, based on its receptor 
pharmacology, it is proposed that the efficacy of asenapine is mediated through a combination of 
antagonist activity at D2 and 5-HT2A receptors. Actions at other receptors e.g., 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 
5-HT2C, 5-HT6, 5-HT7, D3, and α2-adrenergic receptors, may also contribute to the clinical effects 
of asenapine.

Pharmacodynamic effects
Asenapine exhibits high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT5, 
5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors, dopamine D2, D3, D4, and D1 receptors, α1 and α2-adrenergic 
receptors, and histamine H1 receptors, and moderate affinity for H2 receptors. In in vitro assays 
asenapine acts as an antagonist at these receptors. Asenapine has no appreciable affinity for 
muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

Clinical efficacy

Clinical efficacy in bipolar I disorder
The efficacy of asenapine in the treatment of a DSM-IV manic or mixed episode of bipolar I disorder 
with or without psychotic features was evaluated in two similarly designed 3-week, randomized, 
double-blind, flexible-dose, placebo- and active controlled (olanzapine) monotherapy trials involving 
488 and 489 patients, respectively. All patients met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder, current episode manic 
(DSM-IV 296.4x), or mixed (DSM-IV 296.6x) and had a Young Mania Rating Scale (Y-MRS) score
of ≥ 20 at screening and baseline. Patients with rapid cycling were excluded from these studies. 
Asenapine demonstrated superior efficacy to placebo in the reduction of manic symptoms over 
3 weeks. Point estimates [95 % CI] for the change from baseline to endpoint in YMRS using LOCF 
analysis in the two studies were as follows: 
-11.5 [-13.0, -10.0] for asenapine vs -7.8 [-10.0, -5.6] for placebo and 
-10.8 [-12.3, -9.3] for asenapine vs -5.5 [-7.5, -3.5] for placebo. 
A statistically significant difference between asenapine and placebo was seen as early as day 2. 

Patients from the two pivotal 3 week trials were studied for a further 9 weeks an extension trial. 
Maintenance of effect during the episode after 12 weeks of randomised treatment was demonstrated in 
this trial. 

In one double-blind, fixed-dose, parallel-group, 3-week placebo controlled trial in subjects with 
bipolar I disorder experiencing an acute manic or mixed episode involving 367 patients of which 126 
received placebo, 122 received asenapine 5 mg twice daily (BID), and 119 received asenapine 10 mg 
BID, the primary efficacy hypothesis was met. Both asenapine doses (5 mg BID and 10 mg BID) were 
superior to placebo and showed statistically significant improvement in change from baseline in 
Y-MRS total score at Day 21 compared with placebo. Based upon a LOCF analysis including all 
patients treated, the difference in least squares (LS) mean change from baseline to Day 21 in the 
Y-MRS total score between asenapine 5 mg BID and placebo was -3.1 points (95 % CI [-5.7, -0.5]; 
p-value = 0.0183). The difference in LS mean change from baseline to Day 21 in the Y-MRS total 
score between asenapine 10 mg BID and placebo was -3.0 points (95 % CI [-5.6, -0.4]; 
p-value = 0.0244). A statistically significant difference between asenapine and placebo was seen as 

 



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early as day 2. In this short-term, fixed-dose controlled trial there was no evidence of added benefit 
with a 10 mg twice daily dose compared to 5 mg twice daily.

In a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial involving 326 patients with a manic or mixed episode of bipolar 
I disorder, with or without psychotic features, who were partially non-responsive to lithium or 
valproate monotherapy for 2 weeks at therapeutic serum levels, the addition of asenapine as
adjunctive therapy resulted in superior efficacy to lithium or valproate monotherapy at week 3 (point 
estimates [95 % CI] for the change from baseline to endpoint in YMRS using LOCF analysis were 
-10.3 [-11.9, -8.8] for asenapine and -7.9 [-9.4, -6.4] for placebo) and at week 12 (-12.7 [-14.5, -10.9] 
for asenapine and -9.3 [-11.8, -7.6] for placebo) in the reduction of manic symptoms.

Paediatric population
Asenapine is not indicated for the treatment of children and adolescent patients below 18 years (see
section 4.2). 

The safety and efficacy of Sycrest was evaluated in 403 paediatric patients with bipolar I disorder 
who participated in a single, 3-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, of whom 302 patients 
received Sycrest at fixed doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 10 mg twice daily. Study results showed 
statistically significant superiority for all three Sycrest doses in improving the Young Mania Rating 
Scale (YMRS) total score as measured by the change from baseline to Day 21, as compared with 
placebo. Long term efficacy could not be established in a 50-week, uncontrolled, open-label extension 
trial. The clinically relevant adverse reactions identified in the paediatric trials were generally similar 
to those observed in the adult trials. However, adverse effects of treatment on weight gain and on 
plasma lipid profile appeared to be greater than effects observed in the adult trials.

Efficacy of Sycrest was not demonstrated in an 8-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 
randomized, fixed-dose trial in 306 adolescent patients aged 12-17 years with schizophrenia at doses 
of 2.5 and 5 mg twice daily.

Paediatric studies with Sycrest were performed using flavoured sublingual tablets. The European 
Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with Sycrest in one or 
more subsets of the paediatric population in bipolar I disorder (see section 4.2 for information on 
paediatric use).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption
Following sublingual administration, asenapine is rapidly absorbed with peak plasma concentrations 
occurring within 0.5 to 1.5 hours. The absolute bioavailability of sublingual asenapine at 5 mg is 
35 %. The absolute bioavailability of asenapine when swallowed is low (< 2 % with an oral tablet 
formulation). The intake of water several (2 or 5) minutes after asenapine administration resulted in 
decreased (19 % and 10 %, respectively) asenapine exposure. Therefore, eating and drinking should 
be avoided for 10 minutes after administration (see section 4.2).

Distribution
Asenapine is rapidly distributed and has a large volume of distribution (approximately 20-25 L/kg), 
indicating extensive extravascular distribution. Asenapine is highly bound (95 %) to plasma proteins, 
including albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein.

Biotransformation
Asenapine is extensively metabolized. Direct glucuronidation (mediated by UGT1A4) and 
cytochrome P450 (primarily CYP1A2, with contributions of 2D6 and 3A4) mediated oxidation and 
demethylation are the primary metabolic pathways for asenapine. In an in vivo study in humans with 
radio-labelled asenapine, the predominant drug-related entity in plasma was asenapine 
N+-glucuronide; others included N-desmethylasenapine, N-desmethylasenapine N-carbamoyl 

 



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glucuronide, and unchanged asenapine in smaller amounts. Sycrest activity is primarily due to the 
parent compound.

Asenapine is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6. Asenapine does not cause induction of CYP1A2 or 
CYP3A4 activities in cultured human hepatocytes. Co-administration of asenapine with known 
inhibitors, inducers or substrates of these metabolic pathways has been studied in a number of 
drug-drug interaction studies (see section 4.5).

Elimination
Asenapine is a high clearance compound, with a clearance after intravenous administration of 52 L/h. 
In a mass balance study, the majority of the radioactive dose was recovered in urine (about 50 %) and 
faeces (about 40 %), with only a small amount excreted in faeces (5-16 %) as unchanged compound. 
Following an initial more rapid distribution phase, the terminal half-life of asenapine is approximately 
24 h.

Linearity/non-linearity
Increasing the dose from 5 to 10 mg twice daily (a two-fold increase) results in less than linear 
(1.7 times) increases in both the extent of exposure and maximum concentration. The less than 
proportional increase of Cmax and AUC with dose may be attributed to limitations in the absorption 
capacity from the oral mucosa following sublingual administration.
During twice-daily dosing, steady-state is attained within 3 days. Overall, steady-state asenapine 
pharmacokinetics are similar to single-dose pharmacokinetics.

Pharmacokinetics in special populations

Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of asenapine were similar among subjects with mild (Child-Pugh A) or 
moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment and subjects with normal hepatic function. In subjects 
with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), a 7-fold increase in asenapine exposure was observed 
(see section 4.2). 

Renal impairment
The pharmacokinetics of asenapine following a single dose of 5 mg asenapine were similar among 
subjects with varying degrees of renal impairment and subjects with normal renal function. 
There is no experience with asenapine in severe renal impairment patients with a creatinine clearance 
less than 15 mL/min.

Elderly
In elderly patients (between 65 and 85 years of age), exposure to asenapine is approximately 30 % 
higher than in younger adults.

Paediatric population (children and adolescents)
In a PK study using unflavoured sublingual tablets, at the 5 mg twice daily dose level, asenapine 
pharmacokinetics in adolescent patients (12 to 17 years of age, inclusive) are similar to those 
observed in adults. In adolescents, the 10 mg twice daily dose did not result in increased exposure 
compared to 5 mg twice daily.

In a second PK study using flavoured sublingual tablets, the 10 mg twice daily dose in a paediatric 
population (10 to 17 years of age, inclusive) resulted in an approximate dose-proportional increase in 
asenapine exposure compared to 5 mg twice daily.

Gender
A population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that there is no evidence of gender-related 
differences in the pharmacokinetics of asenapine.

 



13

Race
In a population pharmacokinetic analysis, no clinical relevant effects of race on the pharmacokinetics 
of asenapine were found.

Smoking status
A population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that smoking, which induces CYP1A2, has no effect 
on the clearance of asenapine. In a dedicated study, concomitant smoking during administration of a 
single 5 mg sublingual dose had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of asenapine.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety 
pharmacology. Repeat-dose toxicity studies in rat and dog showed mainly dose-limiting 
pharmacological effects, such as sedation. Furthermore, prolactin-mediated effects on mammary 
glands and oestrus cycle disturbances were observed. In dogs high oral doses resulted in 
hepatotoxicity that was not observed after chronic intravenous administration. Asenapine has some 
affinity to melanin-containing tissues. However, when tested in vitro it was devoid of phototoxicity. 
In addition, histopathological examination of the eyes from dogs treated chronically with asenapine 
did not reveal any signs of ocular toxicity, demonstrating the absence of a phototoxic hazard. 
Asenapine was not genotoxic in a battery of tests. In subcutaneous carcinogenicity studies in rats and 
mice, no increases in tumour incidences were observed. Effects in non-clinical studies were observed 
only at exposures considered sufficiently in excess of the maximum human exposure indicating little 
relevance to clinical use.

Asenapine did not impair fertility in rats and was not teratogenic in rat and rabbit. Embryotoxicity 
was found in reproduction toxicology studies using rats and rabbits. Asenapine caused mild maternal 
toxicity and slight retardation of foetal skeletal development. Following oral administration to 
pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis, asenapine adversely affected body weight at the 
high dose of 15 mg.kg-1 twice daily. At this dose foetal body weight decreased. When asenapine was 
administered intravenously to pregnant rabbits, no signs of embryotoxicity were observed. In rats, 
embryofoetal toxicity (increased post-implantation loss, decreased foetal weights, and delayed 
ossification) was observed following oral or intravenous administration during organogenesis or 
throughout gestation. Increased neonatal mortality was observed among the offspring of female rats 
treated during gestation and lactation. From a cross-fostering study it was concluded that asenapine 
induced peri- and postnatal losses are caused by impairment of the pups rather than altered nursing 
behaviour of the dams.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Gelatin
Mannitol (E421)

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.

 



14

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Peelable aluminium/aluminium blisters in cartons of 20, 60 or 100 sublingual tablets per carton.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local 
requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

N.V. Organon, Kloosterstraat 6, NL-5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/10/640/001
EU/1/10/640/002
EU/1/10/640/003

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 01 September 2010
Date of latest renewal: 05 May 2015

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.

 

http://www.ema.europa.eu/


15

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Sycrest 10 mg sublingual tablets

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each sublingual tablet contains 10 mg asenapine (as maleate).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Sublingual tablet
Round, white to off-white, sublingual tablets debossed with ”10” on one side.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Sycrest is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar I 
disorder in adults.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

The recommended starting dose of Sycrest as monotherapy is 5 mg twice daily. One dose should be 
taken in the morning and one dose should be taken in the evening. The dose can be increased to 10 mg 
twice daily based on individual clinical response and tolerability. See section 5.1. For combination 
therapy a starting dose of 5 mg twice daily is recommended. Depending on the clinical response and 
tolerability in the individual patient, the dose can be increased to 10 mg twice daily.

Special populations

Elderly
Sycrest should be used with care in the elderly. Limited data on efficacy in patients 65 years of age 
and older are available. Available pharmacokinetic data are described in section 5.2.

Renal impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment. There is no experience with 
asenapine in patients with severe renal impairment who have a creatinine clearance less than 
15 mL/min.

Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild hepatic impairment. The possibility of elevated 
asenapine plasma levels cannot be excluded in some patients with moderate hepatic impairment 
(Child-Pugh B) and caution is advised. In subjects with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), a 
7-fold increase in asenapine exposure was observed. Thus, Sycrest is not recommended in patients 
with severe hepatic impairment. 

Paediatric population
A pharmacokinetic study and a short term efficacy and safety study were performed in a paediatric 
population (ages 10-17 years) with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Long 

 



16

term safety in this population was explored in a 50-week, open-label, uncontrolled extension study. 
Currently available data are described in sections 4.8, 5.1 and 5.2 but no recommendation on a 
posology can be made.

Method of administration

The tablet should not be removed from the blister until ready to take it. Dry hands should be used 
when touching the tablet. The tablet should not be pushed through the tablet pack. The tablet pack 
should not be cut or torn. The coloured tab should be peeled back and the tablet should be removed 
gently. The tablet should not be crushed.

To ensure optimal absorption, the Sycrest sublingual tablet should be placed under the tongue and 
allowed to dissolve completely. The tablet will dissolve in saliva within seconds. Sycrest sublingual 
tablets should not be chewed or swallowed. Eating and drinking should be avoided for 10 minutes 
after administration.

When used in combination with other medicinal products, Sycrest should be taken last.

Treatment with Sycrest is not advised in patients who are unable to comply with this method of 
administration, as the bioavailability of asenapine when swallowed is low (< 2 % with an oral tablet 
formulation).

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic substances are at an 
increased risk of death.

Sycrest is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis and is not 
recommended for use in this particular group of patients.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), characterised by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic 
instability, altered consciousness and elevated serum creatine phosphokinase levels, has been reported 
to occur with antipsychotics, including asenapine. Additional clinical signs may include 
myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis) and acute renal failure. 

If a patient develops signs and symptoms indicative of NMS Sycrest must be discontinued.

Seizures
In clinical trials, cases of seizure were occasionally reported during treatment with asenapine. 
Therefore, Sycrest should be used with caution in patients who have a history of seizure disorder or 
have conditions associated with seizures.

Suicide
The possibility of a suicide attempt is inherent in psychotic illnesses and bipolar disorder and close 
supervision of high-risk patients should accompany treatment. 

Orthostatic hypotension
Asenapine may induce orthostatic hypotension and syncope, especially early in treatment, probably 
reflecting its α1-adrenergic antagonist properties. Elderly patients are particularly at risk for 
experiencing orthostatic hypotension (see section 4.8). In clinical trials, cases of syncope were 

 



17

occasionally reported during treatment with Sycrest. Sycrest should be used with caution in elderly 
patients and in patients with known cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction 
or ischemia, conduction abnormalities), cerebrovascular disease, or conditions that predispose the 
patient to hypotension (e.g., dehydration and hypovolemia).

Tardive dyskinesia
Medicinal products with dopamine receptor antagonistic properties have been associated with the 
induction of tardive dyskinesia characterised by rhythmical, involuntary movements, predominantly 
of the tongue and/or face. In clinical trials, cases of tardive dyskinesia were occasionally reported 
during treatment with asenapine. The onset of extrapyramidal symptoms is a risk factor for tardive 
dyskinesia. If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient on Sycrest, discontinuation 
of treatment should be considered.

Hyperprolactinaemia
Increases in prolactin levels were observed in some patients with Sycrest. In clinical trials, there were 
few adverse reactions related to abnormal prolactin levels reported.

QT interval
Clinically relevant QT prolongation does not appear to be associated with asenapine. Caution should 
be exercised when Sycrest is prescribed in patients with known cardiovascular disease or family 
history of QT prolongation, and in concomitant use with other medicinal products thought to prolong 
the QT interval.

Hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus
Hyperglycaemia or exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes has occasionally been reported during 
treatment with asenapine. Assessment of the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and 
glucose abnormalities is complicated by the possibility of an increased background risk of diabetes 
mellitus in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and the increasing incidence of diabetes 
mellitus in the general population. Appropriate clinical monitoring is advisable in diabetic patients 
and in patients with risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus.

Dysphagia
Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotic treatment. Cases of 
dysphagia were occasionally reported in patients treated with Sycrest.

Body temperature regulation
Disruption of the body’s ability to reduce core body temperature has been attributed to antipsychotic 
medicinal products. From the clinical trials, it is concluded that clinically relevant body temperature 
dysregulation does not appear to be associated with asenapine. Appropriate care is advised when 
prescribing Sycrest for patients who will be experiencing conditions that may contribute to an 
elevation in core body temperature, e.g. exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, receiving 
concomitant medicinal products with anticholinergic activity or being subject to dehydration.

Patients with severe hepatic impairment
Asenapine exposure is increased 7-fold in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). 
Therefore, Sycrest is not recommended in such patients.

Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies
Physicians should weigh the risks versus the benefits when prescribing Sycrest to patients with 
Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) since both groups may be at increased risk 
of neuroleptic malignant syndrome as well as having an increased sensitivity to antipsychotics. 
Manifestation of this increased sensitivity can include confusion, obtundation, postural instability 
with frequent falls, in addition to extrapyramidal symptoms.

 



18

Falls
Asenapine may cause adverse effects such as somnolence, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness and 
extrapyramidal symptoms, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures or other injuries. 
Patients at risk for fall should be evaluated prior to prescribing asenapine.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Given the primary effects of asenapine on the central nervous system (CNS) (see section 4.8), caution 
should be used when it is taken in combination with other centrally acting medicinal products. 
Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol while taking Sycrest. 

Potential for other medicinal products to affect Sycrest
Asenapine is cleared primarily through direct glucuronidation by UGT1A4 and oxidative metabolism 
by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes (predominantly CYP1A2). The potential effects of inhibitors and an 
inducer of several of these enzyme pathways on asenapine pharmacokinetics were studied, 
specifically fluvoxamine (CYP1A2 inhibitor), paroxetine (CYP2D6 inhibitor), imipramine 
(CYP1A2/2C19/3A4 inhibitor), cimetidine (CYP3A4/2D6/1A2 inhibitor), carbamazepine 
(CYP3A4/1A2 inducer) and valproate (UGT inhibitor). Except for fluvoxamine, none of the 
interacting medicinal products resulted in clinically relevant alterations in asenapine 
pharmacokinetics. 

During combined administration with a single dose of asenapine 5 mg, fluvoxamine 25 mg twice daily 
resulted in a 29 % increase in asenapine AUC. The full therapeutic dose of fluvoxamine would be 
expected to produce a greater increase in asenapine plasma concentrations. Therefore, 
co-administration of asenapine and fluvoxamine should be approached with caution.

Potential for Sycrest to affect other medicinal products
Because of its α1-adrenergic antagonism with potential for inducing orthostatic hypotension (see 
section 4.4), Sycrest may enhance the effects of certain antihypertensive agents.

Asenapine may antagonise the effect of levodopa and dopamine agonists. If this combination is 
deemed necessary, the lowest effective dose of each treatment should be prescribed. 

In vitro studies indicate that asenapine weakly inhibits CYP2D6. Clinical drug interaction studies 
investigating the effects of CYP2D6 inhibition by asenapine showed the following results:

 Following co-administration of dextromethorphan and asenapine in healthy subjects, the ratio 
of dextrorphan/dextromethorphan (DX/DM) as a marker of CYP2D6 activity was measured. 
Indicative of CYP2D6 inhibition, treatment with asenapine 5 mg twice daily resulted in a 
fractional decrease in DX/DM ratio to 0.43. In the same study, treatment with paroxetine 20 mg 
daily decreased the DX/DM ratio to 0.032.

 In a separate study, co-administration of a single 75 mg dose of imipramine with a single 5 mg 
dose of asenapine did not affect the plasma concentrations of the metabolite desipramine (a 
CYP2D6 substrate). 

 Co-administration of a single 20 mg dose of paroxetine (a CYP2D6 substrate and inhibitor) 
during treatment with 5 mg asenapine twice daily in 15 healthy male subjects resulted in an 
almost 2-fold increase in paroxetine exposure. 

In vivo asenapine appears to be at most a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6. However, asenapine may 
enhance the inhibitory effects of paroxetine on its own metabolism.

Therefore, Sycrest should be co-administered cautiously with medicinal products that are both 
substrates and inhibitors for CYP2D6.

 



19

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
There are no adequate data from the use of Sycrest in pregnant women. Asenapine was not teratogenic 
in animal studies. Maternal and embryo toxic effects were found in animal studies (see section 5.3). 

Newborn infants exposed to antipsychotics (including Sycrest) during the third trimester of pregnancy 
are at risk of adverse reactions including extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms that may vary 
in severity and duration following delivery. There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, 
hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, or feeding disorder in newborn infants. 
Consequently, newborn infants should be monitored carefully. 

Sycrest should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the woman requires 
treatment with asenapine and only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding
Asenapine was excreted in milk of rats during lactation. It is not known whether asenapine or its 
metabolites are excreted in human milk. Breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with 
Sycrest.

Fertility
No impairment of fertility has been observed in nonclinical studies (see section 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Asenapine may cause somnolence and sedation. Therefore, patients should be cautioned about driving 
and using machines until they are reasonably certain that Sycrest therapy does not affect them
adversely.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile
The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of asenapine in 
clinical trials were somnolence and anxiety. Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. 
Other serious ADRs are discussed in more detail in section 4.4.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The incidences of the ADRs associated with asenapine therapy are tabulated below. The table is based 
on adverse reactions reported during clinical trials and/or post-marketing use. 

All ADRs are listed by system organ class and frequency; very common (≥ 1/10), common ( 1/100 to 
< 1/10), uncommon ( 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare ( 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000) and not known (cannot be 
estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, ADRs are presented in order of 
decreasing seriousness.

System organ 
class

Very 
common

Common Uncommon Rare Not known

Blood and 
lymphatic 
disorders

Neutropenia

Immune system 
disorders

Allergic 
reactions

 



20

System organ 
class

Very 
common

Common Uncommon Rare Not known

Metabolism and 
nutrition 
disorders

Weight 
increased
Increased 
appetite

Hyperglycaemia

Psychiatric 
disorders

Anxiety

Nervous system 
disorders

Somnolenc
e

Dystonia
Akathisia 
Dyskinesia 
Parkinsonism 
Sedation 
Dizziness 
Dysgeusia

Syncope
Seizure 
Extrapyramidal 
disorder
Dysarthria
Restless legs 
syndrome

Neuroleptic 
malignant 
syndrome 

Eye disorders Accommodation 
disorder 

Cardiac 
disorders

Sinus 
bradycardia
Bundle branch 
block
Electrocardio-
gram QT 
prolonged
Sinus 
tachycardia

Vascular 
disorders

Orthostatic 
hypotension 
Hypotension

Respiratory, 
thoracic and 
mediastinal 
disorders

Pulmonary 
embolism

Gastrointestinal 
disorders

Hypoaesthesia 
oral
Nausea
Salivary 
hypersecretion

Swollen tongue
Dysphagia 
Glossodynia 
Paraesthesia 
oral
Oral mucosal 
lesions 
(ulcerations, 
blistering and 
inflammation)

Hepatobiliary 
disorders

Alanine 
aminotransferas
e increased

Injury, 
poisoning and 
procedural 
complications

Falls*

Musculoskeleta
l and 
connective 
tissue disorders

Muscle rigidity Rhabdomyolysis

 



21

System organ 
class

Very 
common

Common Uncommon Rare Not known

Pregnancy, 
puerperium and 
perinatal 
conditions

Drug 
withdrawal 
syndrome 
neonatal 
(see 4.6)

Reproductive 
system and 
breast disorders 

Sexual 
dysfunction 
Amenorrhoea

Gynaecomastia
Galactorrhoea

General 
disorders and 
administration 
site conditions

Fatigue

* See subsection “Falls” below

Description of selected adverse reactions

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
In clinical trials, the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms in asenapine-treated patients was higher 
than placebo (15.4 % vs 11.0 %).

From the short-term (6 weeks) schizophrenia trials there appears to be a dose-response relationship 
for akathisia in patients treated with asenapine, and for parkinsonism there was an increasing trend 
with higher doses.

Based on a small pharmacokinetic study, paediatric patients appeared to be more sensitive to dystonia 
with initial dosing with asenapine when a gradual up-titration schedule was not followed (see 
section 5.2). The incidence of dystonia in paediatric clinical trials using a gradual up-titration was 
similar to that seen in adult trials.

Weight increase
In the combined short-term and long-term schizophrenia and bipolar mania trials in adults, the mean 
change in body weight for asenapine was 0.8 kg. The proportion of subjects with clinically significant 
weight gain (≥ 7 % weight gain from baseline at endpoint) in the short-term schizophrenia trials was 
5.3 % for asenapine compared to 2.3 % for placebo. The proportion of subjects with clinically 
significant weight gain (≥ 7 % weight gain from baseline at endpoint) in the short-term, flexible-dose
bipolar mania trials was 6.5 % for asenapine compared to 0.6 % for placebo.

In a 3-week, placebo-controlled, randomized, fixed-dose efficacy and safety trial in paediatric patients 
10 to 17 years of age with bipolar I disorder, the mean change from baseline to endpoint in weight for 
placebo and asenapine 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg twice daily, was 0.48, 1.72, 1.62, and 1.44 kg, 
respectively. The proportion of subjects with clinically significant weight gain (≥ 7 % weight gain 
from baseline at Day 21) was 14.1 % for asenapine 2.5 mg twice daily, 8.9 % for asenapine 5 mg 
twice daily, and 9.2 % for asenapine 10 mg twice daily, compared to 1.1 % for placebo. In the 
long-term extension trial (50 weeks), a total of 34.8 % of subjects experienced clinically significant 
weight increase (i.e., ≥ 7 % increase in body weight at endpoint). Overall mean (SD) weight gain at 
study endpoint was 3.5 (5.76) kg.

Orthostatic hypotension
The incidence of orthostatic hypotension in elderly subjects was 4.1 % compared to 0.3 % in the 
combined phase 2/3 trial population.

Falls
Falls may occur as a result of one or more adverse events such as the following: Somnolence, 
Orthostatic hypotension, Dizziness, Extrapyramidal symptoms.

 



22

Hepatic enzymes
Transient, asymptomatic elevations of hepatic transaminases, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate 
transferase (AST) have been seen commonly, especially in early treatment.

Other findings
Cerebrovascular events have been reported in patients treated with asenapine but there is no evidence 
of any excess incidence over what is expected in adults between 18 and 65 years of age.

Asenapine has anaesthetic properties. Oral hypoaesthesia and oral paraesthesia may occur directly 
after administration and usually resolves within 1 hour.

There have been post-marketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with 
asenapine, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, swollen tongue and swollen 
throat (pharyngeal oedema). 

Paediatric population
Asenapine is not indicated for the treatment of children and adolescent patients below 18 years (see 
section 4.2).

The clinically relevant adverse experiences identified in the paediatric bipolar and schizophrenia trials 
were similar to those observed in adult bipolar and schizophrenia trials.

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5 % and at least twice the rate of placebo) reported in 
paediatric patients with bipolar I disorder were somnolence, sedation, dizziness, dysgeusia, 
hypoaesthesia oral, paraesthesia oral, nausea, increased appetite, fatigue, and weight increased (see 
Weight increase above).

The most common adverse reactions (proportion of patients  5 % and at least twice placebo) reported
in paediatric patients with schizophrenia were somnolence, sedation, akathisia, dizziness, and 
hypoaesthesia oral. There was a statistically significant higher incidence of patients with ≥ 7 % 
weight gain (from baseline to endpoint) compared to placebo (3.1 %) for Sycrest 2.5 mg twice daily 
(9.5 %) and Sycrest 5 mg twice daily (13.1 %).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It 
allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare 
professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V.

4.9 Overdose

Few cases of overdose were reported in the asenapine program. Reported estimated doses were 
between 15 and 400 mg. In most cases it was not clear if asenapine had been taken sublingually. 
Treatment-related adverse reactions included agitation and confusion, akathisia, orofacial dystonia, 
sedation, and asymptomatic ECG findings (bradycardia, supraventricular complexes, intraventricular 
conduction delay). 

No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with Sycrest. There is no specific 
antidote to Sycrest. The possibility of multiple medicinal product involvement should be considered. 
Cardiovascular monitoring is necessary to detect possible arrhythmias and management of overdose 
should concentrate on supportive therapy, maintaining an adequate airway oxygenation and 
ventilation, and management of symptoms. Hypotension and circulatory collapse should be treated 
with appropriate measures, such as intravenous fluids and/or sympathomimetic agents (epinephrine 
and dopamine should not be used, since beta stimulations may worsen hypotension in the setting of 
Sycrest-induced alpha blockade). In case of severe extrapyramidal symptoms, anticholinergic 

 

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23

medicinal products should be administered. Close medical supervision and monitoring should 
continue until the patient recovers.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psycholeptics, antipsychotics, ATC code: N05AH05

Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of asenapine is not fully understood. However, based on its receptor 
pharmacology, it is proposed that the efficacy of asenapine is mediated through a combination of 
antagonist activity at D2 and 5-HT2A receptors. Actions at other receptors e.g., 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 
5-HT2C, 5-HT6, 5-HT7, D3, and α2-adrenergic receptors, may also contribute to the clinical effects 
of asenapine.

Pharmacodynamic effects
Asenapine exhibits high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT5, 
5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors, dopamine D2, D3, D4, and D1 receptors), α1 and α2-adrenergic 
receptors, and histamine H1 receptors, and moderate affinity for H2 receptors. In in vitro assays 
asenapine acts as an antagonist at these receptors. Asenapine has no appreciable affinity for 
muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

Clinical efficacy

Clinical efficacy in bipolar I disorder
The efficacy of asenapine in the treatment of a DSM-IV manic or mixed episode of bipolar I disorder 
with or without psychotic features was evaluated in two similarly designed 3-week, randomized, 
double-blind, flexible-dose, placebo- and active controlled (olanzapine) monotherapy trials involving 
488 and 489 patients, respectively. All patients met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder, current episode manic 
(DSM-IV 296.4x), or mixed (DSM-IV 296.6x) and had a Young Mania Rating Scale (Y-MRS) score 
of ≥ 20 at screening and baseline. Patients with rapid cycling were excluded from these studies. 
Asenapine demonstrated superior efficacy to placebo in the reduction of manic symptoms over 
3 weeks. Point estimates [95 % CI] for the change from baseline to endpoint in YMRS using LOCF 
analysis in the two studies were as follows: 
-11.5 [-13.0, -10.0] for asenapine vs -7.8 [-10.0, -5.6] for placebo and 
-10.8 [-12.3, -9.3] for asenapine vs -5.5 [-7.5, -3.5] for placebo. 
A statistically significant difference between asenapine and placebo was seen as early as day 2. 

Patients from the two pivotal 3 week trials were studied for a further 9 weeks an extension trial. 
Maintenance of effect during the episode after 12 weeks of randomised treatment was demonstrated in 
this trial. 

In one double-blind, fixed-dose, parallel-group, 3-week placebo controlled trial in subjects with 
bipolar I disorder experiencing an acute manic or mixed episode involving 367 patients of which 126 
received placebo, 122 received asenapine 5 mg twice daily (BID), and 119 received asenapine 10 mg 
BID, the primary efficacy hypothesis was met. Both asenapine doses (5 mg BID and 10 mg BID) were 
superior to placebo and showed statistically significant improvement in change from baseline in 
Y-MRS total score at Day 21 compared with placebo. Based upon a LOCF analysis including all 
patients treated, the difference in least squares (LS) mean change from baseline to Day 21 in the 
Y-MRS total score between asenapine 5 mg BID and placebo was -3.1 points (95 % CI [-5.7, -0.5]; 
p-value = 0.0183). The difference in LS mean change from baseline to Day 21 in the Y-MRS total 
score between asenapine 10 mg BID and placebo was -3.0 points (95 % CI [-5.6, -0.4]; 
p-value = 0.0244). A statistically significant difference between asenapine and placebo was seen as 

 



24

early as day 2. In this short-term, fixed-dose controlled trial there was no evidence of added benefit 
with a 10 mg twice daily dose compared to 5 mg twice daily.

In a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial involving 326 patients with a manic or mixed episode of bipolar 
I disorder, with or without psychotic features, who were partially non-responsive to lithium or 
valproate monotherapy for 2 weeks at therapeutic serum levels, the addition of asenapine as
adjunctive therapy resulted in superior efficacy to lithium or valproate monotherapy at week 3 (point 
estimates [95 % CI] for the change from baseline to endpoint in YMRS using LOCF analysis were 
-10.3 [-11.9, -8.8] for asenapine and -7.9 [-9.4, -6.4] for placebo) and at week 12 (-12.7 [-14.5, -10.9] 
for asenapine and -9.3 [-11.8, -7.6] for placebo) in the reduction of manic symptoms.

Paediatric population
Asenapine is not indicated for the treatment of children and adolescent patients below 18 years (see
section 4.2). 

The safety and efficacy of Sycrest was evaluated in 403 paediatric patients with bipolar I disorder 
who participated in a single, 3-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, of whom 302 patients 
received Sycrest at fixed doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 10 mg twice daily. Study results showed 
statistically significant superiority for all three Sycrest doses in improving the Young Mania Rating 
Scale (YMRS) total score as measured by the change from baseline to Day 21, as compared with 
placebo. Long term efficacy could not be established in a 50-week, uncontrolled, open-label extension 
trial. The clinically relevant adverse reactions identified in the paediatric trials were generally similar 
to those observed in the adult trials. However, adverse effects of treatment on weight gain and on 
plasma lipid profile appeared to be greater than effects observed in the adult trials.

Efficacy of Sycrest was not demonstrated in an 8-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 
randomized, fixed-dose trial in 306 adolescent patients aged 12-17 years with schizophrenia at doses 
of 2.5 and 5 mg twice daily.

Paediatric studies with Sycrest were performed using flavoured sublingual tablets. The European 
Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with Sycrest in one or 
more subsets of the paediatric population in bipolar I disorder (see section 4.2 for information on 
paediatric use).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption
Following sublingual administration, asenapine is rapidly absorbed with peak plasma concentrations 
occurring within 0.5 to 1.5 hours. The absolute bioavailability of sublingual asenapine at 5 mg is 
35 %. The absolute bioavailability of asenapine when swallowed is low (< 2 % with an oral tablet 
formulation). The intake of water several (2 or 5) minutes after asenapine administration resulted in 
decreased (19 % and 10 %, respectively) asenapine exposure. Therefore, eating and drinking should 
be avoided for 10 minutes after administration (see section 4.2).

Distribution
Asenapine is rapidly distributed and has a large volume of distribution (approximately 20-25 L/kg), 
indicating extensive extravascular distribution. Asenapine is highly bound (95 %) to plasma proteins, 
including albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein.

Biotransformation
Asenapine is extensively metabolized. Direct glucuronidation (mediated by UGT1A4) and 
cytochrome P450 (primarily CYP1A2, with contributions of 2D6 and 3A4) mediated oxidation and 
demethylation are the primary metabolic pathways for asenapine. In an in vivo study in humans with 
radio-labelled asenapine, the predominant drug-related entity in plasma was asenapine 
N+-glucuronide; others included N-desmethylasenapine, N-desmethylasenapine N-carbamoyl 

 



25

glucuronide, and unchanged asenapine in smaller amounts. Sycrest activity is primarily due to the 
parent compound.

Asenapine is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6. Asenapine does not cause induction of CYP1A2 or 
CYP3A4 activities in cultured human hepatocytes. Co-administration of asenapine with known 
inhibitors, inducers or substrates of these metabolic pathways has been studied in a number of drug-
drug interaction studies (see section 4.5).

Elimination
Asenapine is a high clearance compound, with a clearance after intravenous administration of 52 L/h. 
In a mass balance study, the majority of the radioactive dose was recovered in urine (about 50 %) and 
faeces (about 40 %), with only a small amount excreted in faeces (5-16 %) as unchanged compound. 
Following an initial more rapid distribution phase, the terminal half-life of asenapine is approximately 
24 h.

Linearity/non-linearity
Increasing the dose from 5 to 10 mg twice daily (a two-fold increase) results in less than linear 
(1.7 times) increases in both the extent of exposure and maximum concentration. The less than 
proportional increase of Cmax and AUC with dose may be attributed to limitations in the absorption 
capacity from the oral mucosa following sublingual administration.

During twice-daily dosing, steady-state is attained within 3 days. Overall, steady-state asenapine 
pharmacokinetics are similar to single-dose pharmacokinetics.

Pharmacokinetics in special populations

Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of asenapine were similar among subjects with mild (Child-Pugh A) or 
moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment and subjects with normal hepatic function. In subjects 
with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), a 7-fold increase in asenapine exposure was observed 
(see section 4.2). 

Renal impairment
The pharmacokinetics of asenapine following a single dose of 5 mg asenapine were similar among 
subjects with varying degrees of renal impairment and subjects with normal renal function. 
There is no experience with asenapine in severe renal impairment patients with a creatinine clearance 
less than 15 mL/min.

Elderly
In elderly patients (between 65 and 85 years of age), exposure to asenapine is approximately 30 % 
higher than in younger adults.

Paediatric population (children and adolescents)
In a PK study using unflavoured sublingual tablets, at the 5 mg twice daily dose level, asenapine 
pharmacokinetics in adolescent patients (12 to 17 years of age, inclusive) are similar to those 
observed in adults. In adolescents, the 10 mg twice daily dose did not result in increased exposure 
compared to 5 mg twice daily.

In a second PK study using flavoured sublingual tablets, the 10 mg twice daily dose in a paediatric 
population (10 to 17 years of age, inclusive) resulted in an approximate dose-proportional increase in 
asenapine exposure compared to 5 mg twice daily.

Gender
A population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that there is no evidence of gender-related 
differences in the pharmacokinetics of asenapine.

 



26

Race
In a population pharmacokinetic analysis, no clinical relevant effects of race on the pharmacokinetics 
of asenapine were found.

Smoking status
A population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that smoking, which induces CYP1A2, has no effect 
on the clearance of asenapine. In a dedicated study, concomitant smoking during administration of a 
single 5 mg sublingual dose had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of asenapine.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety 
pharmacology. Repeat-dose toxicity studies in rat and dog showed mainly dose-limiting 
pharmacological effects, such as sedation. Furthermore, prolactin-mediated effects on mammary 
glands and oestrus cycle disturbances were observed. In dogs high oral doses resulted in 
hepatotoxicity that was not observed after chronic intravenous administration. Asenapine has some 
affinity to melanin-containing tissues. However, when tested in vitro it was devoid of phototoxicity. 
In addition, histopathological examination of the eyes from dogs treated chronically with asenapine 
did not reveal any signs of ocular toxicity, demonstrating the absence of a phototoxic hazard. 
Asenapine was not genotoxic in a battery of tests. In subcutaneous carcinogenicity studies in rats and 
mice, no increases in tumour incidences were observed. Effects in non-clinical studies were observed 
only at exposures considered sufficiently in excess of the maximum human exposure indicating little 
relevance to clinical use.

Asenapine did not impair fertility in rats and was not teratogenic in rat and rabbit. Embryotoxicity 
was found in reproduction toxicology studies using rats and rabbits. Asenapine caused mild maternal 
toxicity and slight retardation of foetal skeletal development. Following oral administration to 
pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis, asenapine adversely affected body weight at the 
high dose of 15 mg.kg-1 twice daily. At this dose foetal body weight decreased. When asenapine was 
administered intravenously to pregnant rabbits, no signs of embryotoxicity were observed. In rats, 
embryofoetal toxicity (increased post-implantation loss, decreased foetal weights, and delayed 
ossification) was observed following oral or intravenous administration during organogenesis or 
throughout gestation. Increased neonatal mortality was observed among the offspring of female rats 
treated during gestation and lactation. From a cross-fostering study it was concluded that asenapine 
induced peri- and postnatal losses are caused by impairment of the pups rather than altered nursing 
behaviour of the dams.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Gelatin
Mannitol (E421)

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years

 



27

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.
This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Peelable aluminium/aluminium blisters in cartons of 20, 60 or 100 sublingual tablets per carton.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local 
requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

N.V. Organon, Kloosterstraat 6, NL-5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/10/640/004
EU/1/10/640/005
EU/1/10/640/006

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 01 September 2010
Date of latest renewal: 05 May 2015

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.

 

http://www.ema.europa.eu/


28

ANNEX II

A. MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH 
RELEASE

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY 
AND USE

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE 
MARKETING AUTHORISATION

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO 
THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL 
PRODUCT

 



29

A. MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

Name and address of the manufacturers responsible for batch release

Organon (Ireland) Ltd.
Drynam Road, Swords, Co. Dublin
Ireland

Schering-Plough Labo N.V.
Industriepark 30
B-2220 Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium

The printed package leaflet of the medicinal product must state the name and address of the
manufacturer responsible for the release of the concerned batch.

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

 Periodic safety update reports (PSURs)

The requirements for submission of PSURs for this medicinal product are set out in the list of Union 
reference dates (EURD list) provided for under Article 107c(7) of Directive 2001/83/EC and any 
subsequent updates published on the European medicines web-portal.

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

 Risk management plan (RMP)

The marketing authorisation holder (MAH) shall perform the required pharmacovigilance activities 
and interventions detailed in the agreed RMP presented in Module 1.8.2 of the marketing 
authorisation and any agreed subsequent updates of the RMP.

An updated RMP should be submitted:
 At the request of the European Medicines Agency;
 Whenever the risk management system is modified, especially as the result of new information 

being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit/risk profile or as the result of 
an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being reached.

 



30

ANNEX III

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET

 



31

A. LABELLING

 



32

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER CARTON (5 mg)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Sycrest 5 mg sublingual tablets
asenapine

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each sublingual tablet contains 5 mg asenapine (as maleate).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

20 sublingual tablets
60 sublingual tablets
100 sublingual tablets

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Sublingual use. 
Peelable blister. Do not crush, chew or swallow. 
Keep the tablet under your tongue until it dissolves.
Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes after taking the tablet.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.

 



33

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

N.V. Organon
Kloosterstraat 6
NL- 5349 AB Oss
The Netherlands

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/10/640/001 20 sublingual tablets
EU/1/10/640/002 60 sublingual tablets
EU/1/10/640/003 100 sublingual tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Sycrest 5 mg

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC
SN
NN

 



34

MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTERS OR STRIPS

BLISTER (5 mg)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Sycrest 5 mg sublingual tablets
asenapine

2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

N.V. Organon

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

5. OTHER

 



35

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER CARTON (10 mg)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Sycrest 10 mg sublingual tablets
asenapine

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each sublingual tablet contains 10 mg asenapine (as maleate).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

20 sublingual tablets
60 sublingual tablets
100 sublingual tablets

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Sublingual use. 
Peelable blister. Do not crush, chew or swallow.
Keep the tablet under your tongue until it dissolves.
Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes after taking the tablet.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.

 



36

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

N.V. Organon
Kloosterstraat 6
NL- 5349 AB Oss
The Netherlands

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/10/640/004 20 sublingual tablets
EU/1/10/640/005 60 sublingual tablets
EU/1/10/640/006 100 sublingual tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Sycrest 10 mg

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC
SN
NN

 



37

MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTERS OR STRIPS

BLISTER (10 mg)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Sycrest 10 mg sublingual tablets
asenapine

2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

N.V. Organon

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

5. OTHER

 



38

B. PACKAGE LEAFLET

 



39

Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Sycrest 5 mg sublingual tablets
Sycrest 10 mg sublingual tablets

asenapine

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, 

even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible 

side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet
1. What Sycrest is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Sycrest
3. How to take Sycrest
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Sycrest
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Sycrest is and what it is used for

Sycrest contains the active substance asenapine. This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called 
antipsychotics. Sycrest is used to treat moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar I 
disorder in adults. Antipsychotic medicines affect the chemicals that allow communication between 
nerve cells (neurotransmitters). Illnesses that affect the brain, such as bipolar I disorder, may be due to 
certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, being out of balance and these 
imbalances may cause some of the symptoms you may be experiencing. Exactly how this medicine 
works is unknown, however, it is believed to adjust the balance of these chemicals.

Manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder is a condition with symptoms such as feeling 
“high”, having excessive amounts of energy, needing much less sleep than usual, talking very quickly 
with racing ideas and sometimes severe irritability.

2. What you need to know before you take Sycrest

Do not take Sycrest
If you are allergic to asenapine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Sycrest.

Sycrest has not been studied in elderly patients with dementia. However, elderly patients with 
dementia, who are treated with other similar types of medicine, may have an increased risk of stroke 
or death. Sycrest is not approved for the treatment of elderly patients with dementia and is not 
recommended for use in this particular group of patients. 

Sycrest may cause low blood pressure. In the early stages of treatment, some people may faint, 
especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position. This will usually pass on its own but if it 
does not, tell your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted.

 



40

Asenapine may cause sleepiness, sudden drops in blood pressure when you stand up, dizziness and 
changes in your ability to move and balance, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures or 
other injuries. Patients at risk for fall should be evaluated prior to prescribing asenapine.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience
 involuntary rhythmic movements of the tongue, mouth and face. Withdrawal of Sycrest may be 

needed.
 fever, severe muscle stiffness, sweating or a lowered level of consciousness (a disorder called 

“neuroleptic malignant syndrome”). Immediate medical treatment may be needed.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sycrest:

 if you have ever been diagnosed with a condition whose symptoms include high body 
temperature and muscle stiffness (also known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome).

 if you have ever experienced abnormal movements of the tongue or face (tardive dyskinesia).
You should be aware that both of these conditions may be caused by this type of medicine.

 if you have a heart disease or a treatment for heart disease that makes you prone to low blood 
pressure

 if you are diabetic or prone to diabetes
 if you have Parkinson’s disease or dementia
 if you have epilepsy (seizures)
 if you experience any difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
 if you have severe liver problems. If you do, you should not take Sycrest
 if you have difficulty controlling core body temperature
 if you have thoughts of suicide
 if you have abnormally high levels of prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinaemia)

Be sure to tell your doctor if you meet any of these conditions as he/she may want to adjust your dose 
or monitor you for a while. Also contact your doctor immediately if any of these conditions develops 
or worsens while using Sycrest.

Children and adolescents
Sycrest is not recommended for use in patients below the age of 18 years.

Other medicines and Sycrest
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines. Some medicines may reduce or increase the effect of Sycrest.

If you are taking other medicines, Sycrest should be taken last.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking antidepressant medicines (specifically fluvoxamine, 
paroxetine or fluoxetine), as it may be necessary to change your Sycrest or antidepressant medicine 
dose.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking medicines for Parkinson’s disease (such as levodopa), as 
this medicine may make them less effective.

Since Sycrest works primarily in the brain, interference from other medicines (or alcohol) that work in 
the brain could occur due to an additive effect on brain function.

Since Sycrest can lower blood pressure, care should be taken when Sycrest is taken with other 
medicines that lower blood pressure.

 



41

Sycrest with food, drink and alcohol
Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes after taking this medicine.
You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask 
your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Do not take Sycrest while you are pregnant, unless your doctor tells you so. If you are taking this 
medicine and you become pregnant or you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor as soon as possible 
whether you may continue taking Sycrest.

The following symptoms may occur in newborn babies, of mothers that have used Sycrest in the last 
trimester (last three months of their pregnancy): shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, 
sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, and difficulty in feeding. If your baby develops any of these 
symptoms you may need to contact your doctor.

Do not breast-feed when taking Sycrest.

Driving and using machines
Sycrest may cause sleepiness or sedation. Therefore, make sure your concentration and alertness are 
not affected before you drive or operate machinery.

3. How to take Sycrest

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor 
or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is a sublingual tablet of 5 mg or 10 mg two times a day. One dose should be 
taken in the morning and one dose should be taken in the evening.

Instructions for use
Sycrest is for sublingual use.
Sycrest is not advised if you are unable to take the tablet as described below. If you are unable to take 
this medicine as is described below, the treatment may not be effective for you.
- Do not remove a sublingual tablet from the blister until ready to take it. 
- Use dry hands when touching the tablet. 
- Do not push the tablet through the blister. Do not cut or tear the blister. 
- Peel back the coloured tab (Figure 1).
- Gently remove the tablet (Figure 2). Do not crush the tablet.
- To ensure optimal absorption, place the tablet under the tongue and wait until it dissolves 

completely (Figure 3). The tablet will dissolve in saliva within seconds. 
- Do not swallow or chew on the tablet. 
- Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes after taking the tablet.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

 



42

If you take more Sycrest than you should
If you take too much Sycrest, contact a doctor straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. In 
case of overdose you may feel sleepy or tired, or have abnormal body movements, problems with 
standing and walking, feel dizzy due to low blood pressure and feel agitated and confused.

If you forget to take Sycrest
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you miss one dose, take your next dose 
as usual. If you miss two or more doses, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you stop taking Sycrest
If you stop taking Sycrest, you will lose the effects of this medicine. You should not stop taking this 
medicine, unless your doctor tells you as your symptoms may return.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects have been reported with this medicine. Seek medical attention immediately if you 
have any of the following symptoms:
- allergic reactions (These usually involve a combination of effects such as difficulty in breathing 

or swallowing, swollen face, lips, tongue or throat, skin rash, itching and increased heart rate.)
- sudden increase in body temperature, with sweating, fast heartbeat, severe muscle stiffness, 

confusion and fluctuating blood pressure which may lead to coma
- convulsions, fits or seizures
- fainting
- falls which may occur as a result of one or more adverse events such as: sleepiness, sudden 

drops in blood pressure when you stand up, dizziness and changes in your ability to move and 
balance.

Tell your doctor right away if you have:
- signs of increased blood sugar levels such as excessive thirst, hunger or urination, weakness or 

onset of worsening of diabetes
- worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the tongue, mouth, 

cheeks, or jaw which may progress to arms and legs

Other side effects reported with this medicine include:

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- anxiety
- sleepiness

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- weight gain 
- increased appetite
- slow or sustained muscle contractions 
- restlessness 
- involuntary muscle contractions 
- slow movements, tremor 
- sedation
- dizziness
- nausea
- change in taste
- numb feeling of the tongue or in the mouth

 



43

- increased saliva (drooling)
- muscle tightness
- fatigue
- increase in the level of liver proteins

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- abnormal muscle movements: a collection of symptoms known as extrapyramidal symptoms 

(EPS) which may include one or more of the following: abnormal movements of muscles, 
tongue, or jaw, slow or sustained muscle contractions, muscle spasms, tremor (shaking), 
abnormal movements of the eyes, involuntary muscle contractions, slow movements, or 
restlessness 

- unpleasant sensations in the legs (also called restless legs syndrome)
- speech problems 
- abnormal slow or fast heartbeat
- middle heart block 
- abnormal electrocardiogram (prolongation of the QT interval)
- low blood pressure upon standing
- low blood pressure
- tingling of the tongue or in the mouth
- swollen or painful tongue 
- difficulty in swallowing
- ulcers, soreness, redness, swelling, and blisters within the mouth
- sexual dysfunction
- lack of regular menstrual periods 

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- changes in the levels of white blood cells
- difficulties in focusing with the eyes
- blood clots in blood vessels to the lungs causing chest pain and difficulty in breathing
- muscle disease presenting as unexplained aches and pains
- male breast enlargement 
- leakage of milk or fluid from the breast

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side 
effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting 
system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the 
safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Sycrest

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and on the carton. The 
expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store this medicine in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

 

http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Template_or_form/2013/03/WC500139752.doc


44

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Sycrest contains
– The active substance is asenapine. 
– Each Sycrest 5 mg sublingual tablet contains 5 mg asenapine. 
– Each Sycrest 10 mg sublingual tablet contains 10 mg asenapine.
– The exact amount is shown on your Sycrest tablet pack.
– The other ingredients are gelatin and mannitol (E421).

What Sycrest looks like and contents of the pack
The 5 mg sublingual tablets are round white to off-white tablets marked with “5” on one side.
The 10 mg sublingual tablets are round white to off-white tablets marked with “10” on one side.

The sublingual tablets are provided in peelable blisters containing 10 tablets each. Packs may contain 
20, 60 or 100 tablets. 
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder
N.V. Organon
Kloosterstraat 6
NL-5349 AB Oss
The Netherlands

Manufacturer
Organon (Ireland) Ltd.
Drynam Road, Swords
Co. Dublin, Ireland

Schering-Plough Labo N.V.
Industriepark 30
B-2220 Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder:

België/Belgique/Belgien
Lundbeck N.V./S.A.
Tel/Tél: +32 2 535 79 79

Lietuva
UAB Merck Sharp & Dohme
Tel. + 370 5 278 02 47
msd_lietuva@merck.com

България
Мерк Шарп и Доум България ЕООД
Тел.: +359 2 819 3737
info-msdbg@merck.com

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
Lundbeck N.V./S.A.
Tel/Tél: +32 2 535 79 79

Česká republika
Merck Sharp & Dohme s.r.o.
Tel: +420 233 010 111 
dpoc_czechslovak@merck.com

Magyarország
MSD Pharma Hungary Kft. 
Tel.: +36 1 888 5300
hungary_msd@merck.com

Danmark
MSD Danmark ApS
Tlf: + 45 4482 4000
dkmail@merck.com    

Malta
Charles de Giorgio Ltd
Tel: +356 25600500

 



45

Deutschland
Lundbeck GmbH
Tel: +49 40 23649 0

Nederland
Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.
Tel: 0800 9999000 
    (+31 23 5153153)
medicalinfo.nl@merck.com

Eesti
Merck Sharp & Dohme OÜ
Tel.: +372 6144 200
msdeesti@merck.com

Norge
MSD (Norge) AS
Tlf: +47 32 20 73 00
msdnorge@msd.no

Ελλάδα
Lundbeck Hellas S.A.
Τηλ: + 30 210 610 5036

Österreich
Lundbeck Austria GmbH
Tel: +43 1 266 91 08

España
Lundbeck España S.A.
Tel: +34 93 494 9620

Polska
MSD Polska Sp. z o.o.
Tel: +48 22 549 51 00
msdpolska@merck.com

France
Lundbeck SAS
Tél: + 33 1 79 41 29 00

Portugal
Merck Sharp & Dohme, Lda
Tel: +351 21 4465700
inform_pt@merck.com

Hrvatska
Merck Sharp & Dohme d.o.o. 
Tel: + 385 1 6611 333
croatia_info@merck.com

România
Lundbeck Export A/S Reprezentanţa din 
România
Tel: +40 21319 88 26

Ireland
Lundbeck (Ireland) Ltd
Tel: +353 1 468 9800

Slovenija
Merck Sharp & Dohme, inovativna zdravila 
d.o.o.
Tel: +386 1 5204 201
msd.slovenia@merck.com

Ísland
Vistor hf
Sími: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Merck Sharp & Dohme, s. r. o.
Tel: +421 2 58282010
dpoc_czechslovak@merck.com

Italia
Lundbeck Italia S.p.A.
Tel: +39 02 677 4171

Suomi/Finland
Oy H. Lundbeck Ab
Puh/Tel: + 358 2 276 5000

Κύπρος
Lundbeck Hellas A.E
Τηλ.: + 357 22490305

Sverige
Merck Sharp & Dohme (Sweden) AB
Tel: +46 77 5700488
medicinskinfo@merck.com

Latvija
SIA Merck Sharp & Dohme Latvija
Tel: + 371 67364224
msd_lv@merck.com

United Kingdom
Lundbeck Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 1908 649 966

 



46

This leaflet was last revised in {month/YYYY}.

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu.

 

http://www.ema.europa.eu/

	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET