Risperidone: a real alternative for patients treated with depot neuroleptics
Bobes, J.; González, M.P.; Sáiz, P.A.; Octavio, I.; Fernández, J.M.; Bousoño, M.
Actas Espanolas de Psiquiatria 28(6): 367-372
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1139-9287 PMID: 11262281 Document Number: 514340
to determine the efficacy and tolerability of risperidone in schizophrenic outpatients. multicentre, observational, 6 month follow-up study. 421 schizophrenic (ICD-10 criteria) outpatients previously treated with depot neuroleptics and who were switched from depot medication to risperidone due to inefficacy and/or low tolerability. BPRS, CGI, GAF, UKU, and DAI were administered at baseline and months 1, 3, and 6. the Wilcoxon's T, Friedman's test, and Cochran's Q have been employed. Mean total dose of risperidone: 5.5 mg/d (SD 2.4). Scores on BPRS, CGI, GAF, UKU, DAI showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.0001). Significant decrease in the proportion of patients using anticholinergic drugs to control extrapyramidal symptoms and in the rate of hospitalizations. patients benefited from the change to risperidone in terms of efficacy, tolerance, compliance and admissions. Depot neuroleptic treated schizophrenic patients can benefit from treatment change to an oral atypic antipsychotic like risperidone to ease compliance, illness outcome and patient community integration.