Long-term relapse prevention with risperidone in 215 schizophrenic patients

Abstract

Introduction: A total of 215 schyzophrenic patients according to DSM-IV criteria in treatment on risperidone were included in an open label postmarketing surveillance 18 months study to evaluate safety and effectivity of the drug in preventing relapses.

Methods: The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Global Functional Assessment Scale and the Clinical Global Impression were used to assess. Safety was evaluated by the UKU subscale for neurological side effects.

Results: A 82.1% of the patients continued risperidone medication without relapse during the 18 month period. Risperidone was used at a mean dosage of 5.69 ± 2.41 mg/d.

Discussion: Patients improved psychotic symptoms and global activity, and significant reductions were observed in mean total UKU subscale for neurological side effect score. 91.7% of the patients did not report any adverse event; only 2 (1.2%) patients dropt out because of intolerance.