Author: Parellada, Eduard

Source: Current Medical Research and Opinion, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2006 , pp. 241-255(15)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

Background: Risperidone is the first atypical anti-psychotic available in a long-acting injectable formulation.

Objective: To provide an overview of the initial clinical experience gained with long-acting risperidone during clinical trials and in general treatment, including specific case studies, as well as providing practical advice on how to initiate treatment with this new drug.

Methods: Studies published between January 2002 and June 2005 that evaluated the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of long-acting risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia were reviewed, as identified from literature searches using Medline and EMBASE. Although not peer-reviewed, abstracts and posters on long-acting risperidone presented at key psychiatry and schizophrenia congresses during this period were also reviewed where available in the public domain.

Results: Clinical studies have consistently demonstrated that long-acting risperidone, available in dosage strengths of 25, 37.5 or 50 mg, given once every 2 weeks, is both effective and well tolerated in patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, significant and sustained clinical improvement has been reported in patients switched to long-acting risperidone from other oral and long-acting antipsychotic agents. Several patients groups, including the young, the elderly and patients with schizoaffective disorder, have also been shown to derive significant benefit from long-acting risperidone.

Conclusion: A wide variety of patient groups may benefit from treatment with long-acting risperidone, including patients with suboptimal efficacy, particularly as a result of partial compliance, patients experiencing side-effects with another antipsychotic agent or those with a first episode of schizophrenia. Furthermore, long-acting risperidone, with its assured medication delivery, should improve patient compliance and assist patients in achieving remission, an important step towards functional recovery.

Keywords: ANTIPSYCHOTIC; ATYPICAL; EFFICACY; LONG-ACTING; PHARMACOKINETICS; SAFETY; SCHIZOPHRENIA

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1185/030079906X80396

Affiliations: 1: Clinic Schizophrenia Program, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Spain

Publication date: 2006-02-01

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