Zotepine is an atypical antipsychotic drug indicated for acute and chronic schizophrenia. It has been used in Germany since 1990 (although it has been discontinued in Germany) and Japan since 1982. Zotepine is not approved for use in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

Medical uses

Zotepine's primary use is as a treatment for schizophrenia although clinical trials have been conducted (with positive results) into its efficacy as an antimanic agent in patients with acute bipolar mania. In a 2013 study in a comparison of 15 antipsychotic drugs in effectivity in treating schizophrenic symptoms, zotepine demonstrated medium-strong effectivity. Less effective than clozapine, slightly less effective than olanzapine and risperidone, approximately as effective as paliperidone, and slightly more effective than haloperidol, quetiapine, and aripiprazole.

Side effects

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

The antipsychotic effect of zotepine is thought to be mediated through antagonist activity at dopamine and serotonin receptors. Zotepine has a high affinity for the D1 and D2 receptors. It also affects the 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors. In addition, its active metabolite, norzotepine, serves as a potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

Synthesis

The reaction of 2-chloroacetophenone with 4-chlorothiophenol gives a thioether. This is treated with morpholine and sulfur in a Willgerodt–Kindler reaction to give a phenylacetic acid derivative after acid hydrolysis of the amide intermediate. Cyclization of this compound in the presence of polyphosphoric acid forms the dibenzothiepin ring system of the drug. The enol ether, zotepine, is produced when this is treated with the chloroethyl amine and potassium carbonate in methyl isobutyl ketone as solvent. Under these conditions, the undesired product of C-alkylation is minimised.

Society and culture

Brand names

Brand names include Losizopilon (JP), Lodopin (ID, JP) , Setous (JP) , Zoleptil (CZ, PT, TR, UK†) , Zotewin (IN); where † indicates a formulation that has been discontinued.