Long-Acting Injectable Risperidone

OBJECTIVE To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety profile of long-acting (LA) risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia. DATA SOURCES Information was selected from PubMed (1965–July 2004). Applicable scientific posters were also used. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION All published information on risperidone LA was considered. Material providing a comprehensive description was considered. DATA SYNTHESIS Risperidone LA is the first long-acting, injectable atypical antipsychotic. It is dosed at 25–50 mg every 2 weeks. Adverse effects are similar to those seen with oral risperidone. A short-term study showed that risperidone LA is better than placebo in reducing the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, and a long-term trial showed that stable schizophrenic patients can be switched from either oral or other injectable antipsychotic medications to risperidone LA. CONCLUSIONS Risperidone LA is efficacious and safe in the treatment of schizophrenia.