title: Paliperidone Palmitate for Schizoaffective Disorder: A Review of the Clinical Evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite being frequently diagnosed, there has been very limited study of efficacious treatments for schizoaffective disorder. Paliperidone had been approved for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder, and a recently completed relapse prevention study of the use of a once-monthly injectable paliperidone formulation has also led to an indication for that preparation to treat schizoaffective disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  To review the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone for schizoaffective disorder, we conducted a systematic literature search of studies of paliperidone in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder, and briefly reviewed evidence regarding the somewhat controversial nature of that diagnostic entity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We located several studies of the use of paliperidone extended release in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder, but only one completed study of the use of paliperidone palmitate, which demonstrated efficacy in preventing relapse. Three other studies are currently recruiting participants. Efficacy and tolerability were similar to the profile of oral paliperidone in the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia. These results were similar for both individuals treated with paliperidone palmitate alone, and for those treated with paliperidone palmitate with adjunctive mood stabilizers and/or antidepressants. The use of paliperidone palmitate does not require initial co-administration of oral paliperidone, has relatively little risk of drug-drug interactions, and its pharmacokinetics are favorable for once-monthly administration, an important treatment option for individuals with psychotic disorders, who may often be non-adherent to effective medication regimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paliperidone palmitate is an approved treatment for schizoaffective disorder, and can be efficacious with or without commonly employed adjunctive treatments.
authors.affiliation: St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George, Grenada. wmg1019@optonline.net.|Mental Health Association of Rockland County, Valley Cottage, NY, USA. wmg1019@optonline.net.
authors.forename: William M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3507-8268
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Citrome
keywords: Antipsychotic; Bipolar disorder; Long-acting injectable; Mood disorder; Paliperidone; Paliperidone ER; Paliperidone palmitate; Schizoaffective disorder; Schizophrenia