Long-acting risperidone in young adults with early schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness.
BACKGROUND
Treatment with long-acting injectable risperidone was evaluated in young adults likely to be in the early stages of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.


METHODS
An open-label 50-week trial included young adults (men aged 18-25 years and women aged 18-30 years).


RESULTS
Sixty-six young adults received at least 1 injection of long-acting risperidone (25 or 50 mg) every two weeks; 64% of the patients completed the 50-week trial. A mode dose of 25 mg/14 days was received by 23 patients and 50 mg/14 days by 43 patients. Mean PANSS scores improved significantly from baseline at each time point, with 64% of the patients showing clinical improvement (>or=20% reduction in PANSS total scores) at endpoint. Patient-rated quality of life (SF-36 scores) improved and patients' attitudes toward the medication were positive (DAI scores). Severity of movement disorders (ESRS) and injection-site pain ratings were low throughout the trial. Results were similar in the population of other (older) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-acting risperidone was associated with clinical benefits in stable young adults with early schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness.
Lasser
Robert A
RA
Princeton HealthCare System.
Bossie
Cynthia A
CA
Zhu
Young
Y
Locklear
Julie C
JC
Kane
John M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone