December 2025 brought significant developments in psychiatric care, including FDA submissions for new therapies and recognition of comorbid mental health conditions.
Teva Pharmaceuticals submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for TEV-‘749, a once-monthly olanzapine extended-release injectable for adults with schizophrenia, utilizing Medincell’s SteadyTeq technology for controlled, sustained release. The phase 3 SOLARIS trial, a 56-week, multinational, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study evaluated efficacy, safety, and tolerability in patients aged 18 to 64 years. Results showed TEV-‘749 had consistent efficacy and safety compared with oral olanzapine, with high satisfaction reported by patients, nurses, and physicians. Unlike other long-acting injectables such as risperidone and aripiprazole, TEV-‘749 introduces a new molecule option with potential to improve adherence, reduce relapses, and address treatment gaps for the 3.5 million Americans living with schizophrenia.
A phase 3 trial demonstrated that lumateperone 42 mg, when added to antidepressant therapy, significantly improves depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder by day 43. The study assessed 480 adults with inadequate response to 1 or 2 antidepressants. Lumateperone targets serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate neurotransmission, acting as a 5-HT2A antagonist while modulating D2, D1, AMPA, and NMDA activity.
A systematic review of 13 studies involving 2,737 patients with androgenetic alopecia and 17,382 controls found that individuals with androgenetic alopecia experience significantly greater levels of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, with negative impacts on self-esteem, body image, life satisfaction, and social functioning. Investigators recommend routine psychological assessment in clinical practice and integrated care with dermatologists and psychologists.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.hcplive.com/view/4-psychiatry-headlines-missed-december-2025