Quick guide to recently approved behavioral health medications
May 1, 2025
Keeping up with new and emerging medication options for your consumers can be difficult. Genoa Healthcare’s Tim Krause, PharmD, compiled a quick guide to share the latest on recently approved behavioral health medications. Connect with your local pharmacy team or fill out this form to learn more.
Opioid use disorder (OUD)
Brixadi (extended-release form of buprenorphine)1,2
- What it is: Brixadi is an extended-release form of buprenorphine (an FDA-approved medication used to treat OUD that can be prescribed in physician offices) that continuously releases and sustains medicine levels throughout the month.
- What it’s indicated for: Brixadi is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe OUD in patients who have initiated treatment with a single dose of transmucosal buprenorphine product or who are already being treated with buprenorphine.
- How it’s administered: Brixadi is injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the buttock, thigh, abdomen or upper arm.
The medication is part of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program, meaning that only certain pharmacies can dispense the medication directly to a health care provider. Brixadi can only be delivered to a prescriber’s DEA-registered address and may not be dispensed by a pharmacy directly to a patient. Genoa has over 400 locations certified to dispense Brixadi and continues to certify additional sites every month. Connect with your local pharmacy team to learn more.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
Spravato® (Intranasal esketamine)3
- What it is: Spravato nasal spray is the first and only FDA-approved monotherapy for adults living with TRD.
- What it’s indicated for: Spravato is indicated for the treatment of TRD in adults and for the treatment of depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.
- How it’s administered: Spravato can only be administered in health care settings that are certified through the Spravato REMS program. The medication can only be delivered to a prescriber’s DEA-registered address and may not be dispensed directly to a patient. Genoa has over 650 sites certified to dispense Spravato.
Schizophrenia
Cobenfy™ (xanomeline & trospium chloride)4
- What it is: An oral medication combining xanomeline and trospium, Cobenfy is the first in a new class of antipsychotic medications that target muscarinic receptors. Unlike traditional D2 dopamine receptor antagonists, Cobenfy is not associated with adverse effects, like EPS, weight gain, or somnolence.
- What it’s indicated for: Cobenfy is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
- How it’s administered: Cobenfy is administered orally twice daily.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
RELEXXII® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets)5
- What it is: Relexxii (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablet) is a central nervous system stimulant indicated for the treatment of ADHD. Relexxii uses Osmodex® osmotic drug delivery technology, which releases the medication at a controlled rate throughout the day. The medication dissolves within an hour of administration, helping patients quickly receive the necessary treatment with each daily dose.
- What it’s indicated for: Relexxii is indicated for the treatment of ADHD in adults up the age of 65 years and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
- How it’s administered: Relexxii is administered by mouth once daily in the morning with or without food.