title: Long-acting injectable risperidone in partially adherent and nonadherent patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-acting injectable antipsychotics may improve medication adherence, thereby improving overall treatment effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of risperidone long-acting injection in schizophrenic patients switched from oral antipsychotic medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 12-month, multicenter, open-label, noncomparative study, symptomatically stable patients on oral antipsychotic medication with poor treatment adherence during the previous 12 months received intramuscular injections of risperidone long-acting injection (25 mg starting dose) every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 60 patients who were screened, 53 received at least one injection (safety population), and 51 provided at least one postbaseline assessment. Mean PANSS total scores improved significantly throughout the study and at endpoint. Significant improvements were also observed in Clinical Global Impression of Severity, Personal and Social Performance, and Drug Attitude Inventory scales. Risperidone long-acting injection was safe and well-tolerated. Severity of movement disorders on the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale was reduced significantly. The most frequently reported adverse events were insomnia (22.6%), increased prolactin (17.0%), and weight gain (13.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Risperidone long-acting injection was associated with significant symptomatic improvements in stable patients with schizophrenia following a switch from previous antipsychotic medications.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo;
authors.forename: Mário Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Louzã
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elkis
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruschel
authors.forename: Irismar Reis
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Rodrigo Affonseca
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bressan
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Belmonte-de-Abreu
authors.forename: Hamilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grabowski
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Appolinário