Treatment of schizophrenia with paliperidone extended-release tablets: A 6-week placebo-controlled trial.

Author(s): Kane J, Canas F, Kramer M, Ford L, Gassmann-Mayer C, Lim P, Eerdekens M

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, 75-59 263rd Street, Kaufmann Building, Suite 103, Glen Oaks, New York 11004, USA.

Publication date & source: 2007-02, Schizophr Res., 90(1-3):147-61. Epub 2006 Nov 7.

Publication type:

BACKGROUND: Paliperidone extended-release tablet (paliperidone ER) is an investigational oral psychotropic developed for schizophrenia treatment. It utilizes OROS(R) technology to provide a unique pharmacokinetic profile, eliminating the need for titration and potentially leading to improved tolerability. Furthermore, paliperidone undergoes limited hepatic metabolism. METHODS: The efficacy and safety of once-daily paliperidone ER (6 mg, 9 mg and 12 mg) were assessed versus placebo in 628 patients with acute schizophrenia in a 6-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. RESULTS: All doses of paliperidone ER demonstrated significant improvement in PANSS score, all PANSS Marder factor scores (p<0.001) and personal and social functioning versus placebo (p<0.001). The PANSS total score also improved significantly in the olanzapine treatment arm. Significantly higher percentages of paliperidone ER patients demonstrated a >/=30% reduction in PANSS total score versus placebo (p<0.001). The incidence of movement disorder-related AEs and rating scales measurements were similar to placebo for the paliperidone ER 6 mg group and higher in the 9 mg and 12 mg groups. In the paliperidone ER groups there were no reports of glucose-related AEs or clinically relevant changes in plasma lipid levels and changes in mean bodyweight<1 kg. CONCLUSION: In this study, all doses of paliperidone ER were effective in significantly improving the symptoms of schizophrenia and personal and social functioning and were generally well tolerated. Paliperidone ER offers a distinctive treatment profile and may provide a valuable new treatment option for patients with schizophrenia.