Real-World Outcomes of Once-Daily Risperidone Dosing

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have shown that risperidone, which has established antipsychotic efficacy, is effective and safe in a once-daily dosing regimen. METHOD: The efficacy and safety of once-daily risperidone were assessed in a retrospective study of 27 patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders who were attending a community day treatment program. Their DSM-IV diagnoses included schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression with psychosis, and posttraumatic stress disorder. They had received once-daily risperidone for a mean of more than 18 months. RESULTS: Disorders of most patients were controlled with once-daily dosages of 1 to 6 mg/day of risperidone. The nighttime once-daily risperidone dosage was well tolerated by patients. In addition, there was no increase in antipsychotic-related side effects, and compliance was enhanced. CONCLUSION: Risperidone was well tolerated, and no patient needed antiparkinsonian medications even at high dosages of risperidone once daily.