Efficacy and safety with long-acting risperidone at medium high doses

Abstract

Backgound and aims

We present the results of one year follow up with 76 schizophrenic patients treated with long-acting risperidone (medium-high dose 50-75mg/biweekly).The efficacy and safety of this new risperidone formulation was the focus of our study.

Methods

We studied during a year follow up, 76 patients diagnosed of schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria). Long-acting Risperidone was started (day 0) if uncompliance, or relapse with previous treatments in a regimen dose of 50mg. biweekly. Evaluations were performed at day 0, and at 6, 9, and 12 months of follow up. We used as parameters of efficacy: the PANSS, and the CGI.

Results

65 (85%) kept the initial dose of 50mg biweekly, while 7 patients needed 75mg biweekly at the sixth month, and two patients required suplementary oral dose of 4-6mg of Risperidone. Total mean PANSS at first evaluation was 56 and decreased to a mean of 38 in the group treated with 50mg, 37 points those treated with 75mg. at the end of one year. The CGI changed from an initial 2.8 mean punctuation at baseline to a mean of 1.9 points in the group treated with 50mg, decreased to a mean of 2 points in the group treated with 75mg.

15% of the whole sample relapsed during the follow up of one year and 11 (14.7%) required hospitalisation

Secondary effects when present, were rated as mild.

We hardly believe that long-acting Risperidone at 50-75mg (medium-high doses) is an efficacy and well tolerated treatment, for schizophrenia.