title: Plasma antipsychotic concentration and receptor occupancy, with special focus on risperidone long-acting injectable.
abstract: Although effective plasma concentration ranges have been established for some antipsychotics, conventional and atypical, there is considerable inter-patient pharmacokinetic variation. Positron-emission tomography (PET) can be used to estimate D(2)-like receptor occupancy in the brain needed for an antipsychotic effect and the level above which extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) develop. For conventional antipsychotics, the window occupancy is approximately 70-80%. For the atypical antipsychotic risperidone, the antipsychotic effect starts at approximately 60% occupancy, with occupancy above 80% leading to EPS. The new formulation, risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI), comprises risperidone in a biodegradable polymer. It is effective long-term at doses of 25 or 50 mg injected i.m. every 2 weeks. The constant and slow release of the long-acting formulation leads to less fluctuation in plasma levels and to a D(2)-like receptor occupancy which is below the threshold for EPS.
authors.affiliation: Janssen-Cilag, Medical Affairs EMEA, Beerse, Belgium. rmedori@jacde.jnj.com
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medori
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannaert
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gründer
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013995:Time
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D018967:Risperidone