Many patients who have recently received a diagnosis of schizophrenia (e.g., "first-episode
schizophrenia") respond very well to their antipsychotic medication when they are acutely
ill. Once they are more stable, research has shown that first-episode patients need to remain
on their antipsychotic medication. Follow-up studies show that stopping medication
prematurely is the most common cause of relapse and readmission. It is important to have new
ways to help patients stay stable in the community in order for them to continue on with
their rehabilitation and recovery process.
Over the last decade, new antipsychotic medications have been developed that are more
effective and have fewer side effects than older antipsychotics. The new medicines are often
called "atypical", and were only available by pill or capsule for long-term treatment. Most
recently, one of the atypical medications - risperidone - became available as a long-acting
injection that can be given once every 2 weeks.
The hypothesis of this study is that patients recovering from an acute episode and who then
go on to receive a long-acting version of atypical antipsychotic medication (long-acting
risperidone microspheres) will stay on their medications for longer than those who take their
atypical medication (any available first-line atypical) in the oral (pill) form.
Phase:
Phase 4
Details
Lead Sponsor:
State University of New York - Downstate Medical Center