A medicine that sidesteps the brain's dopamine receptors to reach different targets represents a new approach to schizophrenia treatment. The Food and Drug Administration approved it Thursday.

Cobenfy doesn’t have the same severe side effects as older schizophrenia medications — like weight gain, involuntary muscle movement, and sedation — that can cause patients to discontinue treatment.

After more than three decades, schizophrenia patients have a new treatment option. The US FDA has approved a drug, known as KarXT or Cobenfy. It comes without common side effects such as weight gain a