Objective. To investigate efficacy and tolerability of
risperidone long-acting
injectable (RLAI) in French patients with
schizophrenia or other
psychotic disorders, who were all switching from previous treatment with oral atypical
antipsychotics. The impact of treatment with RLAI on the hospitalization status of these patients was also examined. Methods. Clinically stable patients requiring a treatment change received 25 mg RLAI (increased to 37.5 or 50 mg if required) every 2 weeks for 6 months. Results. Of 130 patients (68.5% male, mean age 36.2 years), most (83.8%) had DSM-IV
schizophrenia (mainly paranoid). Previous treatments were
risperidone (80.8%),
olanzapine (10.0%) and
amisulpride (10.0%). Out of 66 patients hospitalized at baseline, 51 were outpatients at endpoint. Mean total PANSS, CGI-S and GAF scores were significantly reduced from baseline to treatment endpoint (p<0.001). Of those patients reported as moderate to severely ill at the beginning of the trial (81.3%), fewer had the same classification at endpoint (50.8%). Mean scores for total ESRS and
Parkinsonism subscales were significantly reduced after only 1 month of treatment (p<0.001). Conclusion. Treatment with RLAI significantly improved disease symptoms, functioning, hospitalization status, and reduced
movement disorders, in psychotic patients considered clinically stable on oral atypical
antipsychotics.