Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) is a prescription medication used to treat schizophrenia in adults. It's a combination of two medications: xanomeline (a muscarinic agonist) and trospium (a muscarinic antagonist). Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) works differently from traditional antipsychotic medications because it doesn’t target dopamine receptors. It comes as a capsule you take by mouth twice a day on an empty stomach. Common side effects include nausea, indigestion, constipation, and vomiting.
Cobenfy is a combination of two medications, but how it works isn't completely clear.
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Cobenfy was approved by the FDA in September 2024.
Cobenfy can help reduce symptoms of schizophrenia in adults. In one study, people who took Cobenfy for 5 weeks had more improvement in symptoms — like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking — than those who took a placebo. Talk to your prescriber to see if this medication might be a good fit for you.
You might start to notice a change in your symptoms within 2 weeks after starting Cobenfy. But it can take more time to feel the full effects of the medication. Speak with your prescriber if you have questions about when this medication could start working for you.
Cobenfy isn't a traditional antipsychotic. Unlike most antipsychotic medications, it doesn't work by blocking dopamine receptors. Instead, it targets muscarinic receptors in the brain, which play a role in thinking, mood, and behavior. It’s the first approved medication for schizophrenia that works in this different way.
Weight gain isn’t a common side effect of Cobenfy, but it has happened in some people. In fact, fewer people reported weight gain with Cobenfy compared to what’s typically seen with many older antipsychotics. If you’re worried about weight changes while taking this medication, talk to your prescriber.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) can make it harder for your bladder to empty fully. This might occur at any time during treatment and is more likely with higher doses. It can also raise your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Your risk is higher if you're an older adult or have certain conditions like an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH).
Watch for signs like trouble starting to urinate, a weak or slow stream, going more often than usual, feeling like your bladder is full but not emptying, or pain when urinating. Tell your prescriber if you notice any of these symptoms. They might lower your dose, stop the medication, or refer you to a specialist. Get medical help immediately if you can’t urinate at all.
If you have liver problems, you might have a higher risk of side effects from Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium). Tell your prescriber about any liver conditions before starting this medication. They will check your liver with a blood test before treatment and might test while you're taking it. Call your care team if you notice signs of liver problems like yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, stomach pain, itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, chills, light-colored stools, or feeling very tired.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) isn't recommended in people with active gallbladder problems like gallstones. Your prescriber will check your liver and bilirubin levels before starting Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium). Contact your care team if you experience symptoms like upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or pain in the upper stomach.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) contains trospium, which can slow down how food moves through your gut. If you have certain stomach or muscle conditions — like ulcerative colitis (UC), myasthenia gravis (MG), or a blockage in your gut — this medication could make your symptoms worse. Tell your prescriber about any digestive or muscle-related health problems before starting Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium).
Some people who took Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) have had a rare but serious side effect called angioedema. This causes swelling in areas like the face, throat, or tongue. Swelling in your throat or tongue can be life-threatening because it can make it hard to breathe. Go to the emergency room right away if you have trouble breathing or sudden swelling around your face or throat.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) can cause your pupils to get bigger. This can be dangerous if you have a type of eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma, as it might cause a sudden attack. Tell your prescriber right away if you notice symptoms like red eyes, blurry vision, seeing halos or bright colors around lights, eye pain, nausea or vomiting, or a severe headache.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) can raise your heart rate. Your prescriber might check your heart rate before you start the medication and during treatment if needed. Let your care team know if you feel a fast or pounding heartbeat while taking this medication.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) isn't recommended if you have moderate or severe kidney problems because the medication can build up in your body. This can raise the chance of side effects like dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or trouble urinating. Talk to your prescriber if you have kidney problems before starting this medication.
Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) can cause side effects like sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, and seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations). These side effects are more likely to happen when you first start the medication or when your dose changes. Avoid driving or doing anything that needs your full attention until you know how this medication affects you. Let your care team know if you're experiencing any of these side effects, especially if they affect your usual daily activities. They might lower your dose or stop the medication if needed.
The typical starting dose is 50 mg/20 mg (xanomeline/trospium) by mouth twice a day on an empty stomach — 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal — for at least 2 days. After that, the dose is usually raised to 100 mg/20 mg (xanomeline/trospium) twice a day for at least 5 days. If needed, your prescriber might raise the dose again to 125 mg/30 mg (xanomeline/trospium) twice a day.
The dose might differ for older adults.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cobenfy (xanomeline / trospium) will not be safe for you to take.