Which drug has high affinity for D2 and D3 and also 5-HT1A activity among the listed options?

Which drug has high affinity for D2 and D3 and also 5-HT1A activity among the listed options?

• A. Cariprazine
• B. Aripiprazole
• C. Brexpiprazole
• D. Ziprasidone

Answer: (B)

Aripiprazole’s profile centers on dopamine receptor partial agonism at both D2 and D3, plus activity at 5-HT1A receptors. This combination lets it dampen excessive dopaminergic activity in pathways linked to psychosis while not entirely blocking dopamine in other pathways, which helps reduce extrapyramidal symptoms. The 5-HT1A activity adds potential benefits for anxiety and mood and may aid negative symptoms. Among the options, this drug best matches the described dual high affinity for D2 and D3 with 5-HT1A activity. Cariprazine is highly D3-preferring (strong D3 activity with comparatively less D2), ziprasidone is mainly a D2 antagonist with limited D2/D3 partial agonism, and brexpiprazole, while similar, does not combine D2/D3 affinity as robustly as aripiprazole.

Aripiprazole’s profile centers on dopamine receptor partial agonism at both D2 and D3, plus activity at 5-HT1A receptors. This combination lets it dampen excessive dopaminergic activity in pathways linked to psychosis while not entirely blocking dopamine in other pathways, which helps reduce extrapyramidal symptoms. The 5-HT1A activity adds potential benefits for anxiety and mood and may aid negative symptoms. Among the options, this drug best matches the described dual high affinity for D2 and D3 with 5-HT1A activity. Cariprazine is highly D3-preferring (strong D3 activity with comparatively less D2), ziprasidone is mainly a D2 antagonist with limited D2/D3 partial agonism, and brexpiprazole, while similar, does not combine D2/D3 affinity as robustly as aripiprazole.