title: Transition from ziprasidone im to oral formulation in agitated patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: an open trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A transition from IM to oral formulation of an antipsychotic agent is often required during the long-term management of schizophrenia. This multicenter trial evaluates the IM/oral sequential administration of ziprasidone in agitated subjects with an exacerbation of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients requiring IM therapy for schizophrenic symptoms were assigned to IM ziprasidone 10 mg for 3 days, followed by oral ziprasidone (initial dose: 80 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy outcomes were the change in the total PANSS and in the CGI-S scores vs. baseline values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 150 patients were included in the study. A decline in the PANSS and CGI-S scores was observed throughout the study (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline): these reductions became significant at the point of transition from IM to oral formulation (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even with the limitations of any non-comparative study, these results suggest that the IM/oral sequential administration of ziprasidone is an effective and well tolerated therapeutic option in the management of acute exacerbations of schizophrenia in agitated patients.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Service for the Diagnosis and Treatment , S. Arsenio Hospital, S. Arsenio, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mautone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scarone
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D013844:Thiazoles; C092292:ziprasidone