Fluctuating plasma levels of the active moiety of risperidone is related to occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms

Marked Improvement of Meige Syndrome in a Japanese Male Patient with Schizophrenia After Switching from Risperidone to Paliperidone: A Case Report

Meige syndrome is a relatively rare type of oral facial dystonia. The dominant symptoms involve involuntary eye blinking and chin thrusting. Some patients may experience excessive tongue protrusion, squinting, muddled speech, or uncontrollable contraction of the platysma muscle. A 44-year-old Japanese male was suffering from schizophrenia. The initial presentation of his psychosis consisted of auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution, psychomotor excitement, loosening association, and restlessness. After being prescribed several antipsychotic drugs, risperidone was started and gradually increased to 4 mg/day. The above symptoms were relieved, particularly auditory hallucination and excitement were promptly improved. Persecutory delusion, however persisted, and deteriorated. At one year after the start of this risperidone regimen, he exhibited severe blepharospasm symptoms (increased rate of eye blinking, light sensitivity) and oromandibular symptoms (trismus, jaw pain, dysarthria). He was diagnosed with Meige syndrome. His antipsychotic drug was changed from risperidone to paliperidone. Two months after switching from risperidone to paliperidone, his eye blinking, light sensitivity, jaw pain, and trismus gradually improved, although the dysarthria persisted. Six months after starting paliperidone, his symptoms of Meige syndrome were completely remitted. He has been well without relapse at 12 mg/day of paliperidone. The case suggests that Meige syndrome is relieved by changing from risperidone to paliperidone. The precise mechanism of the relief remains, however, unknown.

Relationship between the plasma concentration of paliperidone and the clinical and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms in elderly patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationship between the plasma concentration of paliperidone (PAL) and clinical and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in elderly patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

In this study, 15 patients with schizophrenia receiving risperidone were switched to PAL and treated for 12 weeks. Their clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness Scale. Their EPS were assessed using the Drug-induced EPS Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, and Barnes Akathisia Scale at baseline and 12 weeks. Plasma concentrations were measured by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method.

RESULTS

The results revealed that there were significant correlations between the plasma concentration of PAL and improved Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total, negative, and general psychopathology scores (p<0.05). However, the efficacy did not improve linearly with plasma level. No significant correlations were found between the PAL plasma concentration and the mean change from baseline in the Drug-induced EPS Scale total score, Barnes Akathisia Scale, or Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this research suggested that, in elderly patients, although none of an increased plasma concentration of PAL, a worsening of EPS, or an increase in prolactin level occurs, linear clinical efficacy may not be obtained.

Microencapsulation of dye- and drug-loaded particles for imaging and controlled release of multiple drugs

A polymeric microcapsule that can house different drug-loaded particles using a simple emulsion packaging technique is presented. Compared to the neat microparticles, microcapsules simultaneously release multiple drugs in a sustained manner. These microcapsules could provide a means of controlling release of multiple drugs.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia: their role in relapse prevention

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Antipsychotic medications are the cornerstone of treatment in schizophrenia, and a large body of data confirms the value of ongoing and continuous antipsychotic pharmacotherapy in controlling symptoms and preventing relapse. However, nonadherence with antipsychotic treatment is a significant issue, with estimates as high as 90%.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

This review focuses on long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics and their role in the treatment of schizophrenia. The existing literature, with an emphasis on clinical evidence, is assessed. This includes both reviews and specific trials that examine LAIs and compare them with oral agents, with measures ranging from relapse and rehospitalization to adherence. Both advantages and limitations (e.g., challenges in terms of dose titration and time to steady state) are examined.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

This overview serves as an update for clinicians wishing to understand LAIs better, including the newer second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) with this formulation available, and their potential role in the long-term treatment of individuals with schizophrenia.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Despite identified advantages, LAIs are not used as widely as might be expected. It would seem that clinicians are at least partly responsible for this, influenced by our own misperceptions (e.g., that LAIs are not acceptable to patients) and, perhaps, misinformation (e.g., increased side effect risk). As clinicians, we may well be shortchanging LAIs if we position them as a treatment of last resort for the multi-episode, nonadherent, 'revolving door' patient, especially given recent evidence underscoring their potential benefits in first-episode patients. The search for new and more effective antipsychotics will continue, but we are reminded that suboptimal outcomes may have as much to do with nonadherence as inadequate treatments. Evidence has established that LAI antipsychotics demonstrate distinct benefits in this regard, and we would be remiss if we did not exploit this already available strategy. As well as additional research, we need to rethink how we position these agents in our treatment algorithms if we are to maximize their potential.