A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study evaluating the effect of paliperidone extended-release tablets on sleep architecture in patients with schizophrenia

Adverse effects of antipsychotics on sleep in patients with schizophrenia. Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse effects on sleep in patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic treatment.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase, Toxline, Ebsco, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, SpringerLink, and in Database of abstracts of Reviews of Effects of Randomized Clinical Trials to identify eligible studies published from January 1990 to October 2021. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the CONSORT list, and the Cochrane bias tool. Network meta-analysis was performed using the Bayesian random-effects model, with multivariate meta-regression to assess the association of interest.

Results

87 randomized clinical trials were identified that met the inclusion criteria, and 70 articles were included in the network meta-analysis. Regarding the methodological quality of the studies, 47 had a low or moderate bias risk. The most common adverse effects on sleep reported in the studies were insomnia, somnolence, and sedation. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that ziprasidone was associated with an increased risk of insomnia (OR, 1.56; 95% credible interval CrI, 1.18-2.06). Several of the included antipsychotics were associated with a significantly increased risk of somnolence; haloperidol (OR, 1.90; 95% CrI, 1.12-3.22), lurasidone (OR, 2.25; 95% CrI, 1.28-3.97) and ziprasidone (OR, 1.79; 95% CrI, 1.06-3.02) had the narrowest confidence intervals. In addition, perphenazine (OR, 5.33; 95% CrI, 1.92-14.83), haloperidol (OR, 2.61; 95% CrI, 1.14-5.99), and risperidone (OR, 2.41; 95% CrI, 1.21-4.80) were associated with an increased risk of sedation compared with placebo, and other antipsychotics did not differ. According to the SUCRAs for insomnia, chlorpromazine was ranked as the lowest risk of insomnia (57%), followed by clozapine (20%), while flupentixol (26 %) and perospirone (22.5%) were associated with a lower risk of somnolence. On the other hand, amisulpride (89.9%) was the safest option to reduce the risk of sedation.

Discussion

Insomnia, sedation, and somnolence were the most frequent adverse effects on sleep among the different antipsychotics administered. The evidence shows that chlorpromazine, clozapine, flupentixol, perospirone, and amisulpride had favorable safety profiles. In contrast, ziprasidone, perphenazine, haloperidol, and risperidone were the least safe for sleep.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42017078052, identifier: PROSPERO 2017 CRD42017078052.

Analysis of the effect of brexpiprazole on sleep architecture in patients with schizophrenia: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Brexpiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic drug widely used in Japan for the treatment of schizophrenia. Previous studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of some antipsychotics on sleep variables; however, to our knowledge, the effects of brexpiprazole on sleep architecture have not been examined in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, we aimed to exploratorily investigate the effect of brexpiprazole on sleep variables measured by polysomnography in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

This study included 10 patients with schizophrenia who were originally treated with haloperidol alone. Sleep variables of the participants were measured using polysomnography. After excluding those who did not meet the study criteria, seven patients (five men and two women; mean age [SD], 59.0 [10.0] years) were eligible for further analysis. Polysomnography was repeated at 4 weeks after the participants were prescribed brexpiprazole in addition to haloperidol. We compared the sleep architecture of the participants, measured using polysomnography, before and after taking brexpiprazole.

RESULTS

Add-on brexpiprazole significantly prolonged rapid eye movement latency, increased the duration and percentage of stage N2 and stage N3 sleep (min, %), and decreased the duration and percentage of stage rapid eye movement sleep (min, %) at a significance level of nominal p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Although not significant after correcting for multiple comparisons, the present results showed that add-on brexpiprazole could alter the sleep architecture of patients with schizophrenia. Future studies are warranted to replicate these findings and to further investigate the beneficial influence of brexpiprazole on sleep.

Drug-Induced Insomnia and Excessive Sleepiness

Undesirable side effects of insomnia and/or sleepiness may occur with many prescribed drugs, psychotropics as well as non-psychotropics. These central nervous system effects can be explained by the interactions of the drug with any of the numerous neurotransmitters and receptors that are involved in sleep and wakefulness. Also a close - sometimes bidirectional - relationship between disease and (disturbed) sleep/wakefulness is often present e.g. in chronic pain; drug effects may lead this vicious circle in both ways. Besides the importance for health and quality of life, effects on sleep or waking function can be a potential source of non-compliance.

Sleep Interventions in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Due to the effects of sleep on the central nervous system, it is thought that sleep disorders have a special importance in the onset, course and treatment of psychiatric diseases. Although the negative effects of sleep problems on the occurrence, recurrence and clinical course of psychiatric disorders are well known, it is reported that clinicians do not spend enough time for sleep problems in practice. This may be related to the fact that patients underreport their complaints for various reasons, insufficient examination time, and clinicians' lack of knowledge about the importance of the subject. Pharmacotherapy, psychological and behavioral interventions are options among the therapeutic approaches to sleep problems. But, it seems that clinicians tend to prefer pharmacological approaches for the treatment of sleep problems. However, it is important to choose the appropriate treatment option with considering the method preferred by the patients, who already use many and high doses of pharmacological agents, the nature of the psychiatric disorder and the sleep problem. In this context, chronotherapeutic approaches such as bright light, sleep deprivation, interpersonal relations and social rhythm therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques adapted for patients with bipolar disorder can be used in the treatment of suitable patients. In this article, the current literature about sleep-related problems observed in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is reviewed comprehensively with presenting clinical phenotypes and treatment approaches.

Benefits and harms of Risperidone and Paliperidone for treatment of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: a meta-analysis involving individual participant data and clinical study reports

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are severe mental illnesses which are highly prevalent worldwide. Risperidone and Paliperidone are treatments for either illnesses, but their efficacy compared to other antipsychotics and growing reports of hormonal imbalances continue to raise concerns. As existing evidence on both antipsychotics are solely based on aggregate data, we aimed to assess the benefits and harms of Risperidone and Paliperidone in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, using individual participant data (IPD), clinical study reports (CSRs) and publicly available sources (journal publications and trial registries).

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Central, EMBASE and PsycINFO until December 2020 for randomised placebo-controlled trials of Risperidone, Paliperidone or Paliperidone palmitate in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. We obtained IPD and CSRs from the Yale University Open Data Access project. The primary outcome Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score was analysed using one-stage IPD meta-analysis. Random-effect meta-analysis of harm outcomes involved methods for coping with rare events. Effect-sizes were compared across all available data sources using the ratio of means or relative risk. We registered our review on PROSPERO, CRD42019140556.

RESULTS

Of the 35 studies, IPD meta-analysis involving 22 (63%) studies showed a significant clinical reduction in the PANSS in patients receiving Risperidone (mean difference - 5.83, 95% CI - 10.79 to - 0.87, I2 = 8.5%, n = 4 studies, 1131 participants), Paliperidone (- 6.01, 95% CI - 8.7 to - 3.32, I2 = 4.3%, n = 13, 3821) and Paliperidone palmitate (- 7.89, 95% CI - 12.1 to - 3.69, I2 = 2.9%, n = 5, 2209). CSRs reported nearly two times more adverse events (4434 vs. 2296 publication, relative difference (RD) = 1.93, 95% CI 1.86 to 2.00) and almost 8 times more serious adverse events (650 vs. 82; RD = 7.93, 95% CI 6.32 to 9.95) than the journal publications. Meta-analyses of individual harms from CSRs revealed a significant increased risk among several outcomes including extrapyramidal disorder, tardive dyskinesia and increased weight. But the ratio of relative risk between the different data sources was not significant. Three treatment-related gynecomastia events occurred, and these were considered mild to moderate in severity.

CONCLUSION

IPD meta-analysis conclude that Risperidone and Paliperidone antipsychotics had a small beneficial effect on reducing PANSS score over 9 weeks, which is more conservative than estimates from reviews based on journal publications. CSRs also contained significantly more data on harms that were unavailable in journal publications or trial registries. Sharing of IPD and CSRs are necessary when performing meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics.

Signals of Adverse Drug Reactions of Paliperidone Compared to Other Atypical Antipsychotics Using the Korean Adverse Event Reporting System Database

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Schizophrenia is a severe public health problem and one of the top ten causes of disability, affecting about 1.1% of the world's population. Paliperidone is a new atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. Several case reports about unexpected adverse drug reactions of paliperidone have been consistently reported around the world. The purpose of this study was to detect signals of adverse events (AEs) after paliperidone treatment using the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System database (KIDS-KD).

METHODS

We applied data-mining techniques based on a disproportionality analysis to KIDS-KD consisting of spontaneously reported AE reports related to atypical antipsychotics between January 2009 and December 2018. We calculated three data-mining indices of paliperidone compared to all other atypical antipsychotics. We defined signals that satisfied all three criteria of the indices. We checked if the signals identified were included in the drug labels for South Korea, the USA, the UK, Japan, Germany, and France.

RESULTS

The total number of suspected AE reports related to all atypical antipsychotics in the KIDS-KD from January 2009 to December 2018 was 43,970. Among those, the number of AE reports related to paliperidone was 9453. Overall, 13 signals such as seborrhea, hallucination, obesity, gingivitis, and intervertebral disorder were classified into newly detected meaningful signals.

CONCLUSION

We detected new AE signals of paliperidone that were not listed on the drug labels of six countries, and many that were related to psychotic symptoms, metabolic problems, and endocrine disorders.

Are Circadian Disturbances a Core Pathophysiological Component of Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disorder caused by a combination of genetic variations and exposure to environmental insults. Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are a prominent and ubiquitous feature of many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. There is growing interest in uncovering the mechanistic link between schizophrenia and circadian rhythms, which may directly affect disorder outcomes. In this review, we explore the interaction between schizophrenia and circadian rhythms from 2 complementary angles. First, we review evidence that sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances constitute a fundamental component of schizophrenia, as supported by both human studies and animal models with genetic mutations related to schizophrenia. Second, we discuss the idea that circadian rhythm disruption interacts with existing risk factors for schizophrenia to promote schizophrenia-relevant behavioral and neurobiological abnormalities. Understanding the mechanistic link between schizophrenia and circadian rhythms will have implications for mitigating risk to the disorder and informing the development of circadian-based therapies.

[Drug-induced insomnia in old and very old patients]

According to modern concepts, sleep disorders are considered as a common geriatric syndrome, which also emphasizes their polyfactorial genesis. One of the important factors inducing sleep disorders is the intake of various drugs, which becomes especially significant with the problems of polymorbidity and polypharmacy occurring in older age groups. The article provides a classification of drug-induced sleep disorders, which presents a wide range of conditions associated with a disturbance of the sleep-wake cycle. The authors present the frequency of insomnia associated with taking drugs from different pharmacological groups according to the literature, and consider mechanisms of insomnia development due to the effect on various receptors and neurotransmitter systems, as well as data on their effect on sleep structure. The article presents risk factors for drug-induced insomnia and discusses preventive measures and management of patients.

Pharmacologic Treatment Options for Insomnia in Patients with Schizophrenia

Background: Symptoms of sleep disorders, such as disturbances in sleep initiation and continuity, are commonly reported in patients with schizophrenia, especially in the acute phase of illness. Studies have shown that up to 80% of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia report symptoms of insomnia. Sleep disturbances have been shown to increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction and relapse in patients with schizophrenia. Currently, there are no medications approved specifically for the treatment of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A literature search was performed through OVID and PubMed to compile publications of pharmacotherapy options studied to treat insomnia in patients with schizophrenia. Articles were reviewed from 1 January 2000 through 1 March 2018 with some additional earlier articles selected if deemed by the authors to be particularly relevant. Results: Pharmacotherapies collected from the search results that were reviewed and evaluated included melatonin, eszopiclone, sodium oxybate, and antipsychotics. Conclusions: Overall, this review confirmed that there are a few evidence-based options to treat insomnia in patients with schizophrenia, including selecting a more sedating second-generation antipsychotic such as paliperidone, or adding melatonin or eszopiclone. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Pharmacological Treatment for Long-Term Patients with Schizophrenia and Its Effects on Sleep in Daily Clinical Practice: A Pilot Study

Background: Pharmacological treatment is still the key intervention in the disease management of long-term patients with schizophrenia; however, how it affects sleep and whether gender differences exist remains unclear. Methods: Forty-six long-term outpatients with schizophrenia entered the study. The numbers of antipsychotics, sleep medications, antidepressants, and anxiolytics were analyzed. Moreover, all patients were tested using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Correlation analyses were conducted between the medication used and the scores on the two subjective sleep inventories. Results: A large variability, ranging from 0 to 8, in the total number of psychiatric drugs per person was found between the patients. Despite ongoing pharmacological treatment, the patients scored high on the PSQI, but not on the ESS; this indicates that they report problems with sleep, but not with daytime sleepiness. A significant positive correlation between the use of antipsychotics and the ESS score, but not the PSQI score, was found; moreover, no gender differences were found. Conclusions: A large variability exists in the pharmacological treatment of long-term patients with schizophrenia. To date, patients’ sleep problems have been insufficiently treated, and gender differences have not been adequately accounted for in the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia. More and larger international clinical studies are warranted to verify the findings of the present preliminary pilot study before any firm conclusions can be drawn and before any changes to the drug treatment of male and female patients with schizophrenia can be recommended.

Evaluation of sleep profile in schizophrenia patients treated with extended-release paliperidone: an open-label prospective study in Southeast Asia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of 6 months of treatment with paliperidone extended-release (ER) tablets on the sleep profile of patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

A total of 984 patients meeting the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for schizophrenia who switched their antipsychotic to paliperidone ER were recruited from 61 sites in five countries in Southeast Asia. We recorded patient demographics and assessed sleep quality and daytime drowsiness using visual analog scales.

RESULTS

Approximately 70% of patients completed the 6-month study. After the use of paliperidone ER, patients reported significantly better sleep quality (76.44 vs 65.48; p<0.001) and less daytime drowsiness compared with their baseline value (23.18 vs 34.22; p<0.001). Factors predicting sleep profile improvement were completion of the study and higher baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores.

CONCLUSION

Paliperidone ER can help schizophrenia patients to improve sleep quality and reduce daytime drowsiness; this was seen especially in the patients who completed the 6-month treatment period and had higher baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores.

Schizophrenia and sleep disorders: links, risks, and management challenges

Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder that has a massive, long-lasting negative impact on the patients as well as society. While positive symptoms (i.e., delusions and hallucinations), negative symptoms (i.e., anhedonia, social withdrawal), and cognitive impairments are traditionally considered the most prominent features of this disorder, the role of sleep and sleep disturbances has gained increasing prominence in clinical practice. Indeed, the vast majority of patients with schizophrenia report sleep abnormalities, which tend to precede illness onset and can predict an acute exacerbation of psychotic symptoms. Furthermore, schizophrenia patients often have a comorbid sleep disorder, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or periodic limb movement disorder. Despite accumulating data, the links between sleep disorders and schizophrenia have not been thoroughly examined, in part because they are difficult to disentangle, as numerous factors contribute to their comorbidity, including medication status. Additionally, sleep disorders are often not the primary focus of clinicians treating this population, despite studies suggesting that comorbid sleep disorders carry their own unique risks, including worsening of psychotic symptoms and poorer quality of life. There is also limited information about effective management strategies for schizophrenia patients affected by significant sleep disturbances and/or sleep disorders. To begin addressing these issues, the present review will systematically examine the literature on sleep disorders and schizophrenia, focusing on studies related to 1) links between distinct sleep disorders and schizophrenia; 2) risks unique to patients with a comorbid sleep disorder; and 3) and management challenges and strategies.

The relative contributions of psychiatric symptoms and psychotropic medications on the sleep-wake profile of young persons with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorders

This study investigated the relative contribution of psychiatric symptoms and psychotropic medications on the sleep-wake cycle. Actigraphy and clinical assessments (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) were conducted in 146 youths with anxiety, depression or bipolar disorders. Independently of medications, mania symptoms were predictive of lower circadian amplitude and rhythmicity. Independently of diagnosis and symptoms severity: i) antipsychotics were related to longer sleep period and duration, ii) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors to longer sleep period, and iii) agomelatine to earlier sleep onset. Manic symptoms and different subclasses of medications may have independent influences on the sleep-wake cycle of young people with mental disorders.

Adverse Effects of Psychotropic Medications on Sleep

Psychotropic medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, and benzodiazepines are widely prescribed. Most of these medications are thought to exert their effects through modulation of various monoamines as well as interactions with receptors such as histamine and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Through these interactions, psychotropics can also have a significant impact on sleep physiology, resulting in both beneficial and adverse effects on sleep.

A Flexible-Dose Study of Paliperidone ER in Patients With Nonacute Schizophrenia Previously Treated Unsuccessfully With Oral Olanzapine

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to explore the tolerability, safety, and treatment response of switching from oral olanzapine to paliperidone extended release (ER).

METHODS

Adult patients with nonacute schizophrenia who had been treated unsuccessfully with oral olanzapine were switched to flexible doses of paliperidone ER (3 to 12 mg/d). The primary efficacy outcome was a ≥ 20% improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores from baseline to endpoint for patients who switched medications because of lack of efficacy with olanzapine and noninferiority versus previous olanzapine treatment (mean endpoint change in PANSS total scores vs. baseline of ≤ 5 points) for patients who switched for reasons other than lack of efficacy. Safety and tolerability were assessed by monitoring adverse events, extrapyramidal symptoms, and weight change.

RESULTS

Of 396 patients, 65.2% were men, mean age was 40.0 ± 12.0 years, and 75.5% had paranoid schizophrenia. Among the patients whose main reason for switching was lack of efficacy, an improvement in the PANSS total score of ≥ 20% occurred in 57.4% of patients. Noninferiority was confirmed for each subgroup of patients whose main reason for switching was something other than lack of efficacy. Paliperidone ER was generally well tolerated. Extrapyramidal symptoms as measured by total Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale scores showed statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements at endpoint, the average weight decreased by 0.8 ± 5.2 kg at endpoint, and a clinically relevant weight gain of ≥ 7% occurred in 8.0% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Paliperidone ER flexibly-dosed over 6 months was well tolerated and associated with a meaningful clinical response in patients with nonacute schizophrenia who had previously been unsuccessfully treated with oral olanzapine.

Sleep Disturbances in Schizophrenia

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and play a critical role in the morbidity and mortality associated with the illness. Subjective and objective assessments of sleep in patients with schizophrenia have identified certain consistent findings. Findings related to the sleep structure abnormalities have shown correlations with important clinical aspects of the illness. Disruption of specific neurotransmitter systems and dysregulation of clock genes may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia-related sleep disturbances. Antipsychotic medications play an important role in the treatment of sleep disturbances in these patients and have an impact on their sleep structure.

Treatment response, safety, and tolerability of paliperidone extended release treatment in patients recently diagnosed with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to explore the efficacy and tolerability of oral paliperidone extended release (ER) in a sample of patients who were switched to flexible doses within the crucial first 5 years after receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

METHODS

Patients were recruited from 23 countries. Adults with nonacute but symptomatic schizophrenia, previously unsuccessfully treated with other oral antipsychotics, were transitioned to paliperidone ER (3-12 mg/day) and prospectively treated for up to 6 months. The primary efficacy outcome for patients switching for the main reason of lack of efficacy with their previous antipsychotic was at least 20% improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores. For patients switching for other main reasons, such as lack of tolerability, compliance or 'other', the primary outcome was non-inferiority in efficacy compared with the previous oral antipsychotic.

RESULTS

For patients switching for the main reason of lack of efficacy, 63.1% achieved an improvement of at least 20% in PANSS total scores from baseline to endpoint. For each reason for switching other than lack of efficacy, efficacy maintenance after switching to paliperidone ER was confirmed. Statistically significant improvement in patient functioning from baseline to endpoint, as assessed by the Personal and Social Performance scale, was observed (p < 0.0001). Treatment satisfaction with prior antipsychotic treatment at baseline was rated 'good' to 'very good' by 16.8% of patients, and at endpoint by 66.0% of patients treated with paliperidone ER. Paliperidone ER was generally well tolerated, with frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events being insomnia, anxiety and somnolence.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexibly dosed paliperidone ER was associated with clinically relevant symptomatic and functional improvement in recently diagnosed patients with non-acute schizophrenia previously unsuccessfully treated with other oral antipsychotics.

Paliperidone extended-release: safety and tolerability from a metabolic profile perspective

Pharmacologic management strategies for schizophrenia, a relatively common psychotic disorder, include the use of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. In general, typical (or conventional) antipsychotics have a proven track record in effectively managing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia but sometimes lack efficacy in treating negative symptoms. The conventional agents are also associated with adverse neurologic effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). The development of atypical antipsychotics has partly ameliorated the issue of EPS induced by typical antipsychotics. However, several of these atypical antipsychotic agents have been associated with adverse metabolic effects, including weight gain, dyslipidemia, and increased serum glucose levels. Paliperidone (9-hydroxy-riperidone) extended-release (ER) is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia which utilizes a patented oral osmotic system technology that provides constant drug delivery over the course of the day. The efficacy and safety of paliperidone ER in patients with schizophrenia have been established. This review focuses on the metabolic safety of paliperidone ER in patients with schizophrenia. Clinical trials have demonstrated a lack of significant change in lipid profiles with paliperidone ER; furthermore, reported incidences of glucose-related adverse events in clinical trials were very low and similar to those seen with placebo. While dose-related increases in bodyweight of 1-2 kg have been observed with paliperidone ER, there are few reports of clinically relevant increases in bodyweight during treatment. Placebo-controlled trials indicate that the risk of developing metabolic disorders with paliperidone ER is low and similar to that seen with placebo. Furthermore, the ER formulation of paliperidone may offer potential advantages over atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, particularly with regard to side effects and compliance, but comparative studies are needed.

Treatment adherence and quality of sleep in schizophrenia outpatients

OBJECTIVE

Patients with schizophrenia (SZ) often present sleep complaints, and patients with sleep disturbances are at a greater risk for symptom worsening after antipsychotic discontinuation. Long-term adherence to antipsychotic treatment remains a challenge for clinicians, and the relationship between quality of sleep and treatment adherence in SZ outpatients has been poorly studied.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional, non-interventional study, 811 adult outpatients with a diagnosis of SZ were divided into two groups according to the presence (or absence) of sleep disturbances, and assessed using measures of symptom severity, quality and patterns of sleep, adherence/compliance to treatment, and family support degree.

RESULTS

Patients with sleep disturbances were significantly more symptomatic (p < 0.0001), and scored significantly higher on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as compared with patients without sleep disturbances (p < 0.0001). More compliant patients showed less sleep disturbances (p < 0.0001); moreover, patients with worse compliance to pharmacological treatment showed significantly higher scores on the PSQI (p < 0.0001). Regarding family support degree, patients with sleep disorders presented a lower family support (p = 0.0236), and patients with worse treatment adherence had worse family support (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that SZ outpatients reporting sleep disturbances show greater symptom severity, and worse adherence/compliance to treatment, as well as a lower family support.

Paliperidone extended release for the treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients with Tourette's disorder

OBJECTIVE

A subgroup of patients with Tourette's disorder (TD) has symptoms refractory to haloperidol, a standard therapeutic drug for TD.

METHODS

We report on three cases of pediatric and adolescent patients who were treated with paliperidone extended release.

RESULTS

In two cases, TD symptoms were remarkably improved by switching from haloperidol to paliperidone extended release, and in another case, paliperidone extended release showed significant efficacy in treating TD symptoms as the first-line drug. In all cases, no significant adverse side effects were detected.

CONCLUSION

Paliperidone extended release may be a strong candidate for the treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients with TD.

Effectiveness of paliperidone extended-release for patients with schizophrenia: focus on subjective improvement

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed whether the subjective experience of patients with schizophrenia improved after switching from an oral antipsychotic to flexibly-dosed paliperidone extended-release.

METHODS

We conducted a 24-week, multicenter, non-comparative, open-label trial. A total of 387 patients with schizophrenia participated the study. The primary study outcome was the change in subjective symptoms measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised version (SCL-90-R) from baseline. Visual analogue scales were used for sleep and daytime somnolence as secondary subjective assessments. The clinical global impression-schizophrenia-severity scale was used to assess overall symptom severity. Social functioning was evaluated by the personal and social performance scale. Adverse events were also evaluated.

RESULTS

All subjective symptoms measured by the SCL-90-R improved significantly. The early responders, who achieved >20% reduction in the SCL-90-R within 1 week, maintained significantly lower severity through the 24 weeks. The clinical global impression-schizophrenia-severity scale and personal and social performance scores also improved significantly. The visual analogue scales revealed that daytime somnolence improved significantly, whereas nocturnal sleep quality was unaltered.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that switching to paliperidone extended-release was associated with improvements in various subjective symptoms, decreased overall symptom severity, and increased social functioning. The results also suggest that early detection and reduction of subjective symptoms are important for treatment outcome.

Paliperidone extended release: in adolescents with schizophrenia

Paliperidone, the major active metabolite of risperidone, is an atypical antipsychotic agent formulated as an extended-release (ER) tablet suitable for once-daily oral administration. Paliperidone ER is approved for the treatment of adolescents aged 12-17 years with schizophrenia in the US (the focus of this review). It is also approved for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Paliperidone ER has shown efficacy in the treatment of patients aged 12-17 years with acutely symptomatic schizophrenia in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter, 6-week trial. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score to day 43 or the final assessment point post-baseline. Patients with a PANSS total score of 60-120 received one of three weight-based, fixed once-daily doses of paliperidone ER (patients weighing 29 kg to <51 kg: 1.5 mg [low-dose], 3 mg [medium], or 6 mg [high]; patients weighing ≥51 kg: 1.5 mg [low], 6 mg [medium], or 12 mg [high]), or placebo. Compared with placebo, significant improvements in mean PANSS total scores were reported for the medium-dose (3-6 mg) paliperidone ER treatment groups. There were no significant differences in mean PANSS total scores between the recipients of low-dose or high-dose paliperidone ER versus placebo. Mean PANSS total scores in the actual dose treatment groups (regardless of weight) decreased from baseline (i.e. improved) and were significantly lower for the 3, 6, and 12 mg groups than for the placebo group. Treatment-emergent adverse events were dose related in adolescents with schizophrenia who received weight-based fixed doses of paliperidone ER.

Paliperidone: a review of clinical trial data and clinical implications

Paliperidone, 9-hydroxy-risperidone, is the major metabolite of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone and is available in an oral extended-release (ER) formulation. Paliperidone ER was approved for treating schizophrenia in 2006, and in 2009 it became the first atypical antipsychotic licensed for treating schizoaffective disorder. The short-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of paliperidone ER for patients with schizophrenia were demonstrated in three pivotal 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Data from the long-term trial showed that paliperidone ER is also effective in preventing relapse of schizophrenia. Two randomized, placebo-controlled, short-term studies have documented the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone ER in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder, but no long-term or maintenance study has been conducted in patients with schizoaffective disorder. Two 3-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies showed that paliperidone ER is significantly superior to placebo for treating patients with bipolar disorder, but the results were driven by certain subpopulations. Limited evidence suggests that paliperidone ER can potentially be superior to quetiapine and risperidone. However, few direct head-to-head comparisons between paliperidone ER and other antipsychotics have been conducted to confirm these results. The distinctive pharmacological characteristics of paliperidone ER, including smooth fluctuations in plasma drug concentrations, predominantly renal excretion, low risk of causing hepatic impairment and low drug-drug interaction, might provide important clinical advantages compared with risperidone. However, certain side effects require clinical attention. The rate of extrapyramidal side effects was considerably higher than that of a placebo at doses ≥9 mg/day. The risks for orthostatic hypotension, prolongation of the corrected QT interval and hyperprolactinaemia are also concerns. This review summarizes the currently published data on paliperidone ER for treating patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, and suggests its appropriate use in clinical practice.

Paliperidone in the treatment of delirium: results of a prospective open-label pilot trial

Yoon H-K, Kim Y-K, Han C, Ko Y-H, Lee H-J, Kwon D-Y, Kim L. Paliperidone in the treatment of delirium: results of a prospective open-label pilot trial.

Objective: Delirium is a life-threatening neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by disturbances in consciousness, attention, cognition and perception. Antipsychotics are considered the drugs of choice in managing the symptoms of delirium. Paliperidone is a benzisoxazole derivative and the principal active metabolite of risperidone. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of paliperidone for the treatment of delirium.

Methods: A prospective open-label study of paliperidone for delirium treatment was performed with 6-day follow-up. Fifteen patients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for delirium and had a score of 13 on the Delirium Rating Scale were recruited. The starting dose was 3 mg once a day and the dose was adjusted depending on the status of delirium. Daily assessments of the severity of delirium were evaluated using Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS).

Results: The mean daily maintenance dose of paliperidone was 3.75 ± 1.06. The MDAS scores before and after treatment (day 7) were 23.60 ± 6.31 and 11.33 ± 5.45 (t = 6.78, p < 0.001), respectively. The intensity of delirium showed a statistically significant reduction in MDAS scores from the first day of treatment. No serious adverse effects were observed, and none of the patients discontinued paliperidone because of adverse effects.

Conclusions: This study shows that low-dose paliperidone is effective in reducing behavioural disturbances and symptoms in delirium and is well tolerated in delirious patients. This trial is an open-label study with a small sample size, and further controlled studies will be necessary.

Oral paliperidone: a review of its use in the management of schizoaffective disorder

Oral paliperidone extended or prolonged release (Invega®) is an atypical antipsychotic, and is the first agent approved for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder. Paliperidone (or 9-hydroxyrisperidone) is the major active metabolite of the well known atypical antipsychotic risperidone, and its mechanism of action is thought to be the antagonism of dopamine D(2) and serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors. The clinical efficacy of paliperidone was demonstrated in two 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trials in patients with schizoaffective disorder. One trial was flexible dose in design (3-12 mg/day) and the other was fixed dose in design (3-6 and 9-12 mg/day). Compared with placebo, the change from baseline at study end in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (primary endpoint) was significantly greater with paliperidone 3-12 mg/day in one trial and with 9-12 mg/day (but not 3-6 mg/day) in the other trial. However, pooled analyses reported a significantly greater change in PANSS total score across all paliperidone dosages than with placebo. Paliperidone was generally well tolerated in the 6-week trials, and no unexpected adverse events were reported. The most commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, akathisia, dyspepsia, hypertonia, somnolence and sedation. Although long-term efficacy and tolerability data and comparisons with other antipsychotics are needed, paliperidone appears to be a useful agent for the short-term management of patients with schizoaffective disorder.

Paliperidone extended-release: does it have a place in antipsychotic therapy?

Paliperidone (9-hydroxy-risperidone), the active metabolite of risperidone, was approved for treating schizophrenia worldwide in 2006 as paliperidone extended-release (PER), and became the first second-generation antipsychotic specifically licensed for treating schizoaffective disorder in 2009. However, at the same time, its comparatively high cost gave rise to concerns about the cost-effectiveness of PER as compared with its precursor, risperidone. This paper reviews the existing knowledge of the pharmacology, kinetics, efficacy, tolerability, and fields of application of PER, and compares PER with risperidone in order to determine whether it has a place in antipsychotic therapy. An independent assessment of all relevant publications on PER published until July 2010 was undertaken. PER has a unique pharmacological profile, including single dosing, predominantly renal excretion, low drug-drug interaction risk, and differs from risperidone in terms of mode of action and pharmacokinetics. High-level evidence suggests that PER is efficacious and safe in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and acute manic episodes. There is a striking lack of published head-to-head comparisons between PER and risperidone, irrespective of indication. Low-level evidence shows a lower risk for hyperprolactinemia and higher patient satisfaction with PER than with risperidone. PER adds to the still limited arsenal of second-generation antipsychotics. In the absence of direct comparisons with risperidone, it remains difficult to come to a final verdict on the potential additional therapeutic benefits of PER which would justify its substantially higher costs as compared with risperidone. However, in terms of pharmacology, the available evidence cautiously suggests a place for PER in modern antipsychotic therapy.

Paliperidone ER and oral risperidone in patients with schizophrenia: a comparative database analysis

BACKGROUND

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone extended-release (ER) with risperidone immediate-release using propensity score methodology.

METHODS

Six double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, short-term clinical trials for acute schizophrenia with availability of individual patient-level data were identified (3 per compound). Propensity score pairwise matching was used to balance observed covariates between the paliperidone ER and risperidone patient populations. Scores were generated using logistic regression models, with age, body mass index, race, sex, baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score and baseline Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score as factors. The dosage range of paliperidone ER (6-12 mg/day) was compared with 2 risperidone dosage ranges: 2-4 and 4-6 mg/day. The primary efficacy measure was change in PANSS total score at week 6 end point. Tolerability end points included adverse event (AE) reports and weight. AEs with rates ≥ 5% and with a ≥ 2% difference between paliperidone ER and risperidone were identified.

RESULTS

Completion rates for placebo-treated subjects in paliperidone ER trials (n = 95) and risperidone trials (n = 122) groups were 36.8% and 51.6%, respectively; end point changes on PANSS total scores were similar (p = 0.768). Completion rates for subjects receiving paliperidone ER 6-12 mg/day (n = 179), risperidone 2-4 mg/day (n = 113) or risperidone 4-6 mg/day (n = 129) were 64.8%, 54.0% and 66.7%, respectively (placebo-adjusted rates: paliperidone ER vs risperidone 2-4 mg/day, p = 0.005; paliperidone ER vs risperidone 4-6 mg/day, p = 0.159). PANSS total score improvement with paliperidone ER was greater than with risperidone 2-4 mg/day (difference in mean change score, -6.7; p < 0.05) and similar to risperidone 4-6 mg/day (0.2; p = 0.927). Placebo-adjusted AEs more common with paliperidone ER were insomnia, sinus tachycardia and tachycardia; more common with risperidone were somnolence, restlessness, nausea, anxiety, salivary hypersecretion, akathisia, dizziness and nasal congestion. Weight changes with paliperidone ER and risperidone were similar (paliperidone ER vs risperidone 2-4 mg/day, p = 0.489; paliperidone ER vs risperidone 4-6 mg/day, p = 0.236).

CONCLUSIONS

This indirect database analysis suggested that paliperidone ER 6-12 mg/day may be more efficacious than risperidone 2-4 mg/day and as efficacious as risperidone 4-6 mg/day. The AE-adjusted incidence rates suggest differences between treatments that may be relevant for individual patients. Additional randomized, direct, head-to-head clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Tolerability of paliperidone: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Balancing tolerability and efficacy of medications can be problematic for clinicians when assessing appropriate therapy for patients. For antipsychotic therapy, this can be especially challenging because of the hazardous movement and metabolic effects associated with them. Paliperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. A systematic review of the literature for the tolerability of the drug, paliperidone, was performed. A total of 15 articles met the criteria for inclusion representing a total of 3779 patients. Data combination was conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel method, random effects model at 95% confidence. Adverse events with the greatest incidence in the paliperidone population were any treatment emergent adverse event (68%), extra-pyramidal symptoms (23%), headache (14%), insomnia (11%), somnolence (9%), tachycardia (9%) and weight gain (8%). Reported events most likely related to paliperidone [largest attributable risks (AR)] were extra-pyramidal symptoms (AR=10), reduction in acute psychosis (AR=8), any treatment emergent adverse event (AR=6), tachycardia (AR=4), and weight gain (AR=4). Events where incidence was entirely because of paliperidone (incidence equals AR) were hypersalivation (3), dysarthria (2), and sexual dysfunction (1). Reported events totally unrelated to paliperidone (AR=0) included anxiety, asthenia, constipation, depression, dyspepsia, glucose related events, and vomiting. Overall, a 50% reduction in treatment emergent psychosis was seen in schizophrenic patients treated with paliperidone, however the reduction of a psychotic event is about equal to the occurrence of an adverse event with paliperidone.

A controlled, evidence-based trial of paliperidone palmitate, a long-acting injectable antipsychotic, in schizophrenia

Paliperidone palmitate is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic agent. This 13-week, multicenter, randomized (1 : 1 : 1 : 1), double-blind, parallel-group study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fixed 25, 50, and 100 milligram equivalent (mg equiv.) doses of paliperidone palmitate vs placebo administered as gluteal injections on days 1 and 8, then every 4 weeks (days 36 and 64) in 518 adult patients with schizophrenia. The intent-to-treat analysis set (N=514) was 67% men and 67% White, with a mean age of 41 years. All paliperidone palmitate dose groups showed significant improvement vs placebo in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (primary efficacy measure; 25 and 50 mg equiv., p=0.02; 100 mg equiv., p<0.001), as well as Clinical Global Impression Severity scores (p< or =0.006) and PANSS negative and positive symptom Marder factor scores (p< or =0.04). The Personal and Social Performance scale showed no significant difference between treatment groups. The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between groups. Parkinsonism, the most frequently reported extrapyramidal symptom, was reported at similar rates for placebo (5%) and paliperidone palmitate (5-6% across doses). The mean body mass index and mean weight showed relatively small dose-related increases during paliperidone palmitate treatment. Investigator-evaluated injection-site pain, swelling, redness, and induration were similar across treatment groups; scores for patient-evaluated injection-site pain (visual analog scale) were similar across groups and diminished with time. All doses of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate were efficacious and generally tolerated, both locally and systemically. Paliperidone palmitate offers the potential to improve outcomes in adults with symptomatic schizophrenia.

Role of 5-HT2A receptor antagonists in the treatment of insomnia

Insomnia encompasses a difficulty in falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia) and/or a difficulty in staying asleep (SMI). Several selective serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor antagonists have been in development as potential treatments for SMI. However, none have shown a sufficiently robust benefit-to-risk ratio, and none have reached market approval. We review the role of the 5-HT2A mechanism in sleep, the preclinical and clinical data supporting a role for 5-HT2A receptor antagonism in improving sleep maintenance, and the status of 5-HT2A receptor antagonists in clinical development. Overall, the polysomnography data strongly support an increase in slow-wave sleep and a decrease in waking after sleep onset following treatment with 5-HT2A receptor antagonists, although it has been more difficult to show subjective improvements in sleep with these agents. The incidence and prevalence of SMI, whether primary or secondary to psychiatric, neurologic, or other medical conditions, will increase as our population ages. There will be an increased need for safe and efficacious treatments of insomnia characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep, and there remains much promise for 5-HT2A receptor antagonism to play a role in these future treatments.

Sleep in psychiatric disorders: where are we now?

Although the precise function of sleep is unknown, decades of research strongly implicate that sleep has a vital role in central nervous system (CNS) restoration, memory consolidation, and affect regulation. Slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep have been of significant interest to psychiatrists; SWS because of its putative role in CNS energy recuperation and cognitive function, and REM sleep because of its suggested involvement in memory, mood regulation, and possible emotional adaptation. With the advent of the polysomnogram, researchers are now beginning to understand some of the consequences of disrupted sleep and sleep deprivation in psychiatric disorders. The same neurochemistry that controls the sleep-wake cycle has also been implicated in the pathophysiology of numerous psychiatric disorders. Thus it is no surprise that several psychiatric disorders have prominent sleep symptoms. This review will summarize normal sleep architecture, and then examine sleep abnormalities and comorbid sleep disorders seen in schizophrenia, as well as anxiety, cognitive, and substance abuse disorders.

Romanian psychiatric literature: analysis of accessibility and nature of Romanian psychiatric articles

BACKGROUND

Romania is a low-income country of 22 million people and, currently, information regarding mental health research is limited. Romania is one of the last countries in eastern Europe not to have its own bibliographic biomedical database.

AIM

To assess the content and quality of Romanian psychiatric research activity over time.

METHOD

EMBASE (1980 to April 2008), MEDLINE (1950 to April 2008) and PsycINFO (1806 to April 2008) were systematically searched for psychiatric articles originating from Romania. The sample from PsycINFO was described.

RESULTS

PsycINFO was by far the best source of Romanian mental health literature with a considerable increase in the publication activity since 2000 (PsycINFO identified 3236 hits, MEDLINE 549, EMBASE 139). Most papers are in English, but a sizeable minority are in Romanian (30%), French (4%) or Hungarian (4%). The main topics of interest are cognitive processes, creativity, schizophrenia and cognitive development and stress and are, according to PsycINFO's indexing, 'empirical studies'. Seventeen randomised trials were identified with all studies after 2000 being sponsored by industry.

CONCLUSIONS

Surprisingly, and not in keeping with other studies of the literature of neighbouring countries, PsycINFO is the major source of psychiatric bibliographic records of this region. There are signs of a resurgence of research activity in Romania and as the number of local mental health workers increases we can expect more output. Industry is now funding evaluative studies in Romania. As everywhere, but perhaps more acutely in situations of severely limited research support, there is a difficult balance to be struck between benefiting support and losing independence.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of 3 doses of paliperidone palmitate in adults with acutely exacerbated schizophrenia

This study assessed the efficacy and the safety of a dosing regimen that was revised from earlier studies for the investigational injectable atypical antipsychotic paliperidone palmitate (approved in the USA, August 2009) for adult patients with acutely exacerbated schizophrenia. The patients (N = 652) were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to paliperidone palmitate at 25, 100, or 150 mg eq. or placebo in this 13-week double-blind study. The patients received an injection of paliperidone palmitate at 150 mg eq. or placebo in the deltoid muscle on day 1 and the assigned fixed dose or placebo in the deltoid or gluteal [corrected] on day 8 and then once monthly (days 36 and 64). No oral supplementation was used. Target plasma levels were achieved by day 8 in all paliperidone palmitate groups. The mean change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score from baseline to end point improved significantly (P < or = 0.034) in all the paliperidone palmitate dose-groups versus placebo. Paliperidone palmitate treatment with this revised dosing regimen led to the achievement of rapid and consistent therapeutically effective plasma levels that were maintained by once-monthly dosing in either the deltoid or gluteal muscle. Common treatment-emergent adverse events (> or =2% of patients in any of the treatment groups) that occurred more frequently in the total paliperidone palmitate group versus the placebo group (with > or =1% difference) were injection-site pain (7.6% vs 3.7%), dizziness (2.5% vs 1.2%), sedation (2.3% vs 0.6%), pain in the extremity (1.6% vs 0.0%), and myalgia (1.0% vs 0.0%). The paliperidone palmitate treatment was efficacious and generally tolerated across the dose range (25, 100, or 150 mg eq.) in adult patients with acutely exacerbated schizophrenia.

GABA(B) receptors, schizophrenia and sleep dysfunction: a review of the relationship and its potential clinical and therapeutic implications

Evidence for an intrinsic relationship between sleep, cognition and the symptomatic manifestations of schizophrenia is accumulating. This review presents evidence for the possible utility of GABA(B) receptor agonists for the treatment of subjective and objective sleep abnormalities related to schizophrenia. At the phenotypic level, sleep disturbance occurs in 16-30% of patients with schizophrenia and is related to reduced quality of life and poor coping skills. On the neurophysiological level, studies suggest that sleep deficits reflect a core component of schizophrenia. Specifically, slow-wave sleep deficits, which are inversely correlated with cognition scores, are seen. Moreover, sleep plays an increasingly well documented role in memory consolidation in schizophrenia. Correlations of slow-wave sleep deficits with impaired reaction time and declarative memory have also been reported. Thus, both behavioural insomnia and sleep architecture are critical therapeutic targets in patients with schizophrenia. However, long-term treatment with antipsychotics often results in residual sleep dysfunction and does not improve slow-wave sleep, and adjunctive GABA(A) receptor modulators, such as benzodiazepines and zolpidem, can impair sleep architecture and cognition in schizophrenia. GABA(B) receptor agonists have therapeutic potential in schizophrenia. These agents have minimal effect on rapid eye movement sleep while increasing slow-wave sleep. Preclinical associations with increased expression of genes related to slow-wave sleep production and circadian rhythm function have also been reported. GABA(B) receptor deficits result in a sustained hyperdopaminergic state and can be reversed by a GABA(B) receptor agonist. Genetic, postmortem and electrophysiological studies also associate GABA(B) receptors with schizophrenia. While studies thus far have not shown significant effects, prior focus on the use of GABA(B) receptor agonists has been on the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, with minimal investigation of GABA(B) receptor agonists such as baclofen or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and their effects on sleep architecture, cognition and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Further study is needed.

What are the nursing implications when using paliperidone prolonged release for people with schizophrenia

Paliperidone prolonged release (PR) is a new product licensed for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is the active metabolite of risperidone, a drug that has been successfully used in the treatment of schizophrenia and mood disorder. Paliperidone PR has a unique pharmacological delivery mechanism that may incur benefits for particular patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Studies investigating paliperidone PR are reviewed along with implications for its use by nurse prescribers and those nurses who monitor the use of medication for people with psychosis.

Paliperidone for schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Paliperidone, risperidone's active metabolite, is now available in an oral formulation for daily use, and an intramuscular formulation for monthly administration may follow shortly.

OBJECTIVES

To compare effects of oral paliperidone with any other treatment for people with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like illnesses.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (December 2006), and inspected references of identified studies for further trials. We contacted the manufacturers of paliperidone, the Food and Drug Administration, and authors of relevant trials for additional material.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all relevant randomised trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently selected and critically appraised studies, extracted data and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Where possible and appropriate, we calculated risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) with the number needed to treat (NNT). We calculated Weighted Mean Differences (WMD) for continuous data.

MAIN RESULTS

Five studies compared paliperidone with placebo. Fewer people left the studies early if they were randomized to paliperidone (n=1647, 5 RCTs, RR 0.68 CI 0.61 to 0.76, NNT 7 CI 6 to 9) and those receiving any dose of paliperidone were significantly more likely to have an improvement in global state (n=1420, 4RCTs, RR 0.69 CI 0.63 to 0.75, NNT 5 CI 4 to 6). People randomised to paliperidone were less likely to experience a recurrence of psychosis (n=1638, 5 RCTs, RR 0.45 CI 0.31 to 0.66, NNT 16 CI 13 to 26) than those allocated to placebo. Adverse effect data were not well reported but paliperidone does seem to produce a greater incidence of tachycardia than placebo (n=1638, 5 RCTs, RR1.88 CI 1.28 to 2.76, NNH 21 CI 11 to 90) and a consistent, significant elevation in serum prolactin was found for both men (n=413, 3 RCTs, WMD 27.68 CI 23.66 to 31.69) and women (n=252, 3 RCTs, WMD 87.39 CI 74.27 to 100.51). People receiving paliperidone were more likely to experience extrapyramidal disorders (n=1638, 5 RCTs, RR 2.21 CI 1.26 to 3.88, NNH 28 CI 12 to 129) and weight gain (n=769, 4 RCTs, WMD 1.07 CI 0.65 to 1.49, I-squared 78%) compared with those allocated to placebo. When compared with 10 mg/day olanzapine we found no differences between paliperidone and olanzapine for leaving in the short term (n=1332, 3 RCTs, RR 1.04 CI 0.89 to 1.21; 40% in both groups left by six weeks). Those receiving any dose of paliperidone were no more likely to have a recurrence of psychotic symptoms than those receiving 10 mg/day olanzapine (n=1327, 3 RCTs, RR 0.1.07 CI 0.64 to 1.76). Data from all three studies found paliperidone was less likely to produce a weight change than olanzapine (n=660, 3 RCTs, WMD -0.88 CI -1.38 to -0.37). Results for various movement disorders all favoured olanzapine. There are no clear data relating to social functioning, services use, quality of life, satisfaction and cost.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In short-term studies, oral paliperidone is an antipsychotic that is more efficacious than placebo. We found its adverse effects to be similar to those of its parent compound, risperidone, with movement disorders, weight gain, and tachycardia all more common with paliperidone than placebo. In addition, paliperidone is associated with substantial increases in serum prolactin that may be associated with sexual dysfunction, although sexual functioning outcomes were not reported. At doses greater than 3 mg per day, oral paliperidone appears comparable in efficacy to oral olanzapine 10 mg per day. Regarding the critical comparison of oral paliperidone to risperidone, we have no information and are thus unable to determine if paliperidone has any advantages or disadvantages compared to its well-known parent compound.

Paliperidone ER: a review of the clinical trial data

Paliperidone extended-release tablet (paliperidone ER; INVEGA()) is an oral antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia. The recommended dose range is 3-12 mg per day. Paliperidone ER utilizes the OROS((R)) delivery system, which allows for once-daily dosing. Its pharmacokinetic profile results in a more stable serum concentration. Paliperidone is 9-hydroxyrisperidone, the chief active metabolite of risperidone. It undergoes limited hepatic metabolism, thereby minimizing the risks of hepatic drug-drug and drug-disease interactions. Three 6-week trials in patients with acute schizophrenia reported that paliperidone ER was effective, well tolerated, and produced clinically meaningful improvements in personal and social functioning compared with placebo. Post-hoc analysis of these trials in various populations, including recently diagnosed, elderly and more severely ill patients, those with sleep disturbances and those with predominant negative symptoms demonstrated improvement as well. Paliperidone ER was also significantly better than placebo in the prevention of symptom recurrence in a 6-month maintenance study. The most common clinically relevant adverse events associated with paliperidone ER were extrapyramidal symptoms, tachycardia and somnolence. The incidence of Parkinsonism, akathisia and use of anticholinergic medications increased in a dose-related manner. Further, modest QTc interval prolongation was observed but did not produce clinical symptoms. Similar to risperidone, paliperidone ER is associated with increases in serum prolactin levels. Overall, paliperidone ER was effective, well tolerated and provides a new treatment option for patients with schizophrenia.