Saphris Withdrawal Help, Asenapine Side Effects, Symptoms, Treatment

This entry was posted in Antipsychotic on February 18, 2021 by Diane Ridaeus.

Last Updated on March 2, 2021 by Carol Gillette

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Written by Diane Ridaeus Published Sep 13, 2018
Medically Reviewed by Dr John Motl MD

Antipsychotics, like Saphris, are generally prescribed at a time of debilitating crisis, with no time available to consider how or when to undertake Saphris withdrawal.

After a crisis passes, one can ask whether moments of upset really necessitate a lifetime of being medicated? Of note, researchers are looking at whether these types of drugs actually reinforce psychosis by upregulating dopamine receptors, and this is a matter that must be carefully addressed in recovery.

Do Your Symptoms

Require Saphris?

Alternative to Meds has been the leading authority on guiding antipsychotic withdrawal and Saphris alternatives for over 15 years. We have published evidence regarding our success. Many factors may have been overlooked prior to a prescription of antipsychotics and certainly afterward. Alternative to Meds Center takes the time to sort out what happened, what needs to be adjusted (nutrition/lifestyle/allergies/genetic factors/drug use, etc.) When we isolate the culprits, these can be addressed to resolve the underlying conditions. Then we find the medication may be reduced or even entirely eliminated and the client responds very well and continues to do so for the long-term in more than three-quarters of all cases we have treated.

Saphris (generic asenapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication FDA approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar episodic mania.

The medication is administered via a sublingual dissolving tablet twice a day. It is a chemical derivative of an earlier tricyclic antidepressant called mianserin. Before beginning or stopping a course of medication, researching the drug and its side effects, withdrawals and other topics is a recommended action. The information below may be helpful to an individual who is facing mental health challenges and gathering information to make the best choices regarding options for health care.

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What is Saphris (Asenapine) Used For?

Saphris is prescribed in the treatment of adult schizophrenia, and for acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder in adults and pediatric patients from age 10 and up.

Saphris (Asenapine) Alternative Names and Slang

Asenapine is sold under various trade names, including Saphris and Sycrest. Asenapine is not known as a street drug, although it is not uncommon for prescription drugs to be diverted to the illicit market.

Saphris (Asenapine) Side Effects

Some side effects that can occur while taking Saphris may require medical attention. Some of the most concerning adverse effects may come on suddenly or gradually over time. Speak to your prescribing physician immediately if any symptoms occur.

Side effects include:

Akathisia, a feeling of internal restlessness accompanied by an intense compulsion to keep the body in motion, i.e., pacing, hand or arm motions, pacing, rocking, twisting, etc.
Suicidal thoughts
Shakiness, tremors in the hands, limbs, etc.
Drooling
Difficulty or pain swallowing
Slowed heartbeat
Shuffling walk, unusual slowness in body motions
Muscle spasms that cause the body to twist in unnatural postures, sometimes painful
Eye rolling
Facial grimacing
A fixed facial expression, mask-like facial characteristics
Intense anxiety
Feeling agitated
Irritability
Sudden weakness in the body
Rash with fever
Hives, weeping sores
Loss of unconsciousness
Skin sores
Mouth ulcers
Sores in the mucous tissues
Severe and sudden headache
Slurring words
Loss of balance
Blinking eye movements
Blurred vision
Tongue rolling, lip-smacking, chewing (involuntary)
Elevated levels of blood sugar
Fainting episodes (syncope)

Other side effects may appear which are not on the above list and may signal medical attention is needed to investigate the matter further.

Other symptoms are reported more commonly, which may be less severe, but should still be monitored as they may signal potential health problems:

Constipation
Dry mouth, altered taste sensors
Insomnia, interrupted or disturbed sleep
Nausea
Stomach pain
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Drowsiness
Vertigo, dizziness
Tingling feeling or numbness in body parts, i.e., mouth, hands, etc.
Feeling restless

Saphris (Asenapine) Withdrawal Symptoms

Possibly the most concerning Saphris withdrawal symptoms would be a return of original symptoms, that may sometimes intensity, at least for a time. This may be a sign that the Saphris withdrawal is too fast, and should be eased up until a lessening of effect occurs.

During Saphris withdrawal, the following adverse effects should be watched for and may require medical intervention:

Return of psychoses, i.e., hearing voices, hallucinations, altered perceptions, etc.
Tremors
Intensified anxiety
Profuse sweating
Chills
Fever
Heart palpitations, tachycardia
Heavy feeling in the limbs, extremities hard to move
Mood swings, pronounced, may be rapid
Shuffling walk, rigidity, slowness in movements
Depersonalization
Deep depression
Jaw clenching
Flu-like symptoms
Insomnia, interrupted sleep patterns, vivid dreams
Fatigue
Somnolence

Discontinuing/Quitting Saphris (Asenapine)

Saphris withdrawal is best done in a safe, inpatient setting so that proper monitoring can occur. Patient safety and comfort should be addressed, to ease the person through the process as comfortably as possible. Saphris withdrawal can be unpredictable and a very slow approach with supportive medical guidance is necessary.

Saphris (Asenapine) FAQs

Below are some topics that are frequently researched on the drug, including how it works, interactions with other drugs, and other topics relating to Saphris withdrawal..

How does Saphris (Asenapine) Work?

Saphris is dissolved under the tongue and is given twice per day in 5mg or 10mg tablets. The drug is not absorbed as well if swallowed.

How the drug works is not yet completely understood. It is thought that the drug influences certain receptors in the brain. Asenapine could be referred to as a multi-receptor neuroleptic drug, which influences both serotonin and dopamine antagonism. The literature on the drug indicates that it can have beneficial effects on cognitive function and may reduce some unwanted symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Researchers report an exceptionally high affinity for specific receptors that may be significant, however exactly how the drug works is poorly understood.¹

Comparisons from trials done showed Saphris to be only minimally effective for acute mania compared to most other antipsychotic medications. (2)

It is believed that antipsychotics such as Saphris deflect dopamine from binding at the D2 receptor. This is thought to correlate to the drug’s ability to reduce psychotic symptoms. However, there is a limitation to any drug’s effectiveness over time because the body adapts by building new receptors.

This adaptation can make trying to withdraw from antipsychotic medication extremely difficult, sometimes described as more challenging than benzodiazepine or heroin withdrawal.

This difficulty may be caused, at least in part, by another aspect of antipsychotic medication. Withdrawal can become hard to manage because when the drug is reduced, a significant flood of dopamine may occur; this can clinically present as a return of manic symptoms.

The patient may become, affected by this reaction, unwilling or unable to follow directions. It may be desirable at such a point to arrange hospital admission for stabilization. Once stabilized, tapering may be able to resume at a slow pace. This scenario would not occur in all cases, but the possibility may be more likely where medication has been relied on for many years. Such considerations should be discussed prior to beginning tapering. With exacting, well-planned, and compassionate protocols, it is possible in most cases to transition to being medication free, or to the lowest possible dose that still provides satisfactory quality of life.

As a general note, it is usual that a drug such as Saphris is given during a time of crisis or to control an extreme type of episode. Less attention is often given in determining whether such a crisis was a temporary situation. It may be easier to find a doctor to prescribe Saphris, or similar medication than it is to find a doctor familiar enough with correct tapering to help with the reduction or elimination of the drug when that time comes. Inpatient help may be able to answer this problem, where staff are familiar and capable of helping with Saphris withdrawal.

What Does Saphris Do To The Brain?

After collating information based on a number of clinical studies, we have seen what appears to be a correlation between the COMT genetic polymorphism and mania, psychosis, as well as depression related to bipolar conditions.

One theory is that dopamine, being the reward chemical, and other neurochemicals with their respective functions, may be affected by changing rates of efficacy due to certain genetic impairment factors present that interfere or interact with various catecholamines along the neuronal pathways.

For instance, if the breakdown of dopamine is a result of COMT impairment, as indicated by the presence of the COMT genetic polymorphism, it would be reasonable to assume the person may be experiencing an excess of dopamine.

Studying the role of genetics may prove more important as more research is done along these lines.

Can You Drink on Saphris (Asenapine)?

Since the drug is dissolved in the mouth, eating or drinking anything should be avoided for ten minutes after taking a Saphris pill.

Drinking alcohol at any time during treatment with Saphris may cause dangerous interactions and so should be avoided at all times. Drugs and alcohol can have unpredictable consequences and may lengthen your time in treatment, as well as pose certain health risks that may lead to hospitalization, and may extend recovery time considerably.

Healthy Alternatives for Hobbies, Social Interactions, Personal Enhancement

A better approach to attaining mental health naturally might include finding other things besides alcohol that satisfy the need for enjoyment and relaxation. After all, life though challenging at times, is meant to be enjoyed. That enjoyment may be enhanced further by finding healthier alternatives such as hobbies, social outings, nature hikes, massage therapy, spa treatments, etc., that may provide additional opportunities for improvements.

As a side note of caution, while taking Saphris or any drug that causes drowsiness, do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery as you may not be alert enough to do so safely. Staying safe, and helping others stay safe doesn’t mean that life can’t be enjoyed. In fact, there is great therapeutic value in finding new and challenging activities that stimulate creative thought and new abilities.

This may be especially pertinent to someone suffering from schizophrenia or other mental disorders. Disordered thinking can create stress and difficulties almost beyond imagining, however, finding alternatives to drinking alcohol will provide many opportunities for improvements that may not have otherwise been discovered.

How Long Does Saphris Stay in Your System?

Saphris has an approximate elimination half-life of 24 hours.

There is limited data as to how long Saphris will show positively on drug testing beyond testing on postmortem specimens. (4)

Per the Psychopharmacology Institute,

“Asenapine is a high clearance drug with a clearance after intravenous administration of 52 L/h. In this circumstance, hepatic clearance is influenced primarily by changes in liver blood flow rather than by changes in the intrinsic clearance, i.e., the metabolizing enzymatic activity. Following an initial more rapid distribution phase, the terminal half life of asenapine is approximately 24 hours.” (5)

However, a more pertinent question might be how long will a person feel the effects after stopping Saphris? Because of the body’s neuroadaptive ability, adequate time should be allowed for the body and neurochemistry to normalize. The gentle taper approach will mitigate after-effects considerably, and other factors can help to accelerate recoveries, such as diet, sleep habits, and other pragmatic types of recovery support.

Treatment for Saphris (Asenapine) Abuse and Addiction?

Alternative to Meds Center provides a serene and comfortable inpatient setting in which to recover after a course of prescription medication such as asenapine needs to be tapered.

With carefully tailored individual programming, the specific needs of each client can be addressed safely and with a minimum of discomfort.

With a well-trained staff of over forty professionals, doctors, nurses, practitioners, and counselors, the center takes a thorough and comprehensive approach to health recovery after medication.

An important facet of the program entails testing for and removing toxic accumulations of various environmental pollutants, chemicals, and other substances that are neurotoxic. The program seeks to normalize neurochemistry through holistic means such as flooding the body with nutrient-rich foods, proper supplementation, and many other methods. When this phase of the program is complete, clients will typically see improvements in sleep, energy level, mood, less depression, less anxiety, and other positive results. Beginning a taper when the improvements have already bet set in motion is much easier on the system and much more comfortable done in this way.

Many adjunct therapies are used in the programs as well, so that maximum client support is made available. Some of these include mind/body techniques like Qigong, yoga, counseling specific to disordered thinking, educational classes on healthy diet, high dose vitamin C therapy, as well as other orthomolecular applications specific to this population.

Families are often troubled by the stress of watching a loved one suffer. It can be much easier for the people who surround the person needing help to consider inpatient treatment. Please contact us for more information on our cutting-edge programs. Learn how knowledge can assist you as you begin your quest toward natural mental health. Find out about how gentle Saphris withdrawal can be, done in the comfort and support of an environment filled with professionals who understand how to fulfill the full scope of a client’s needs and issues.

1 (800) 301-3753 for Saphris Withdrawal Help

1. Schering-Plough Saphris (Asenapine) drug pharmacology [INTERNET] Centerwatch.com 2009 Aug 18

2. FDA Saphris (asenapine) label information, ND, [cited 2020 May 25]
3. Diamond A Consequences of Variations in Genes that affect Dopamine in Prefrontal Cortex Abstract [INTERNET] NCBI 2007 Sep 17

4. Miller C, Pleitez O, Anderson D, Mertens-Masham D, Wade N Asenapine (Saphris®): GC–MS Method Validation and the Postmortem Distribution of a New Atypical Antipsychotic Medication Journal of Analytical Toxicology [INTERNET] 2013 Oct 01

5. Guzman F MD Asenapine (SAPHRIS) Pharmacokinetics open-access article Psychopharmacology Institute [INTERNET] last updated 2019 Jun 27

This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. John Motl, M.D.

Dr. Motl is currently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, and Board eligible in Neurology and licensed in the state of Arizona. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Motl has studied Medical Acupuncture at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at U.C.L.A.

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Diane Ridaeus

Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.

Medical Disclaimer:
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.