title: Study of the efficacy and safety of switching from risperidone to paliperidone in elderly patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of switching to paliperidone (PAL) in elderly schizophrenia patients receiving risperidone.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 27 inpatients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the DSM-IV. The patient's clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness Scale, and their safety was assessed using the Drug-induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale, bodyweight, body mass index, and laboratory tests. We also investigated patient satisfaction using the Drug Attitude Inventory, a subjective outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in clinical symptom improvement efficacy were seen between the PAL-switching group and the control group. The mean changes from baseline on the Drug-induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale total score, Drug Attitude Inventory score, and prolactin level were significantly greater in the PAL-switching group than in the control group. Furthermore, patients with PAL needed less biperiden, even though they had similar risperidone-equivalent daily dosages to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that switching elderly patients from risperidone to PAL may result in superior safety and patient satisfaction, and may also make it possible to reduce the dosage of biperiden.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Tanzawa Hospital, Hadano, Japan. suzuhide@livedoor.com
authors: Hidenobu
authors: H
authors: Suzuki
authors: Keishi
authors: K
authors: Gen
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Otomo
authors: Yuichi
authors: Y
authors: Inoue
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Hibino
authors: Ayako
authors: A
authors: Mikami
authors: Hideo
authors: H
authors: Matsumoto
authors: Katsunaka
authors: K
authors: Mikami
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068882:Paliperidone Palmitate; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D011743:Pyrimidines; D018967:Risperidone; D000068882:Paliperidone Palmitate