Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Brexpiprazole for Acute Schizophrenia: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of low-dose brexpiprazole (<2 mg/d) compared to placebo and standard-dose brexpiprazole (2-4 mg/d).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified relevant studies pertaining to the specific purpose of our meta-analysis by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library, and PsycINFO using the search terms "schizophrenia" or "schizophrenic" AND "brexpiprazole" or "REXULTI". We systematically reviewed all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing low-dose brexpiprazole with placebo. Primary efficacy outcomes were the PANSS total score change and response rate. Primary safety outcomes were total treatment discontinuation rate, and total serious adverse events (SAEs). Risk ratios (RR) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled implementing a random effect model.

RESULTS

Four RCTs (2178 patients) were included for effect assessment of low-dose brexpiprazole treatment on the patients with acute schizophrenia. Low-dose brexpiprazole was not superior to placebo (SMD = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.23, 0.02, P = 0.10, I² = 0%), and significantly inferior to standard-dose brexpiprazole (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.26, P = 0.01, I² = 0%) for PANSS total score change. Low-dose brexpiprazole did not result in significant difference for response rate when compared to placebo and standard-dose brexpiprazole (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.95, 1.41, P = 0.14, I² = 25%; RR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.76, 1.12, P = 0.40, I² = 38%, respectively). For ratio of total discontinuation, low-dose brexpiprazole did not exhibit significant difference when compared to placebo (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.11, P = 0.53, I² = 0%) and standard-dose brexpiprazole group (RR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.95, 1.29, P = 0.19, I² = 0%). Total SAEs in low-dose brexpiprazole group did not differ significantly from placebo and standard-dose brexpiprazole group (RR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.52, 1.80, P = 0.90, I² = 0%; RR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.65, 2.57, P = 0.47, I² = 26%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that low-dose brexpiprazole may be not superior for improving the efficacy and safety for acute schizophrenia compared to placebo and standard-dose brexpiprazole, and may cause additional risk of increasing body weight. Therefore, using low-dose brexpiprazole in acute schizophrenia patients may be not recommended.

Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of lurasidone for acute schizophrenia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of phase 3 trials in Japan

Introduction

Considering that the efficacy results of the Japan lurasidone phase 3 trials for acute schizophrenia were inconsistent, we conducted a systematic review and a random‐effect model network meta‐analysis of those trials to examine whether lurasidone was beneficial for the treatment of Japanese patients with acute schizophrenia.

Methods

The study included the double‐blind, randomized trial in Japan that included patients with acute schizophrenia. Efficacy outcomes were improvement of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score (PANSS‐T, primary), positive (PANSS‐P), negative (PANSS‐N), and general (PANSS‐G) subscale scores; and Clinical Global Impression‐Severity Scale (CGI‐S) score and response rate. Other outcomes were discontinuation rates and incidence of individual adverse events.

Results

We included four studies (n = 1,608). Although both lurasidone 40 mg/d (LUR40) and 80 mg/d (LUR80) outperformed placebo in PANSS‐T [standardized mean difference (95% credible interval): LUR40 = −0.298 (−0.420, −0.176), LUR80 = −0.170 (−0.320, −0.019)], PANSS‐P, and CGI‐S scores, LUR40 but not LUR80 outperformed placebo in PANSS‐N and PANSS‐G scores and response rate. LUR40 outperformed LUR80 regarding PANSS‐G score. Both LUR40 and LUR80 were associated with a higher incidence of akathisia, somnolence, and increased body weight compared with placebo. Compared with placebo, LUR40 was associated with a higher incidence of weight gain (≥7%), and LUR80 was associated with a higher incidence of dystonia and weight loss (≥7%) and higher Drug‐Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale score.

Conclusions

Both LUR40 and LUR80 improved overall symptoms in Japanese patients with acute schizophrenia. However, LUR80 seemed to have a risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Our network meta‐analysis included four studies (n = 1,608).Both lurasidone 40 mg/d and 80 mg/d outperformed placebo in PANSS total score.

Psychological assessment of acute schizophrenia patients who experienced seclusion either alone or in combination with restraint

Objective Numerous studies on the effects of seclusion and/or restraint in acute psychiatric treatment have reported both positive and negative effects. However, no studies to date have evaluated the effects of seclusion and/or restraint on schizophrenia patients using a rating scale. Thus, to examine the effects of seclusion and/or restraint on schizophrenia patients, we used the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and assessed the psychological condition of patients. Methods Factor analysis was conducted to create subscales of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and psychiatric changes were assessed with respect to each subscale using multiple logistic regression analyses. Analyses were performed on three groups (i.e. entire, higher functioning, and lower functioning groups) involving a total of 1559 schizophrenia patients aged 18 to 65 years. Results In the entire and lower functioning groups, seclusion was a significant predictor of improvements related to the "hostility/suspiciousness" subscale. Seclusion combined with restraint was associated with improvements related to the "psychosis/thinking disorder" subscale. In the higher functioning group, there were no significant predictors. Conclusions It is implied that seclusion and/or restraint is related to improved psychiatric symptoms only among patients whose functioning is impaired. To verify the present findings, further studies involving multiple sites and additional psychiatric measures are necessary.

Efficacy and safety of once-monthly injection of paliperidone palmitate in hospitalized Asian patients with acute exacerbated schizophrenia: an open-label, prospective, noncomparative study

INTRODUCTION

This single-group, open-label, prospective, noncomparative, multicenter, Phase IV study explored the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone palmitate (PP) in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

METHODS

Asian patients of either sex, between 18 and 65 years of age, diagnosed with schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) with acute exacerbations within the previous 4 weeks, were enrolled. Intramuscular PP was initiated at doses of 150 milligram equivalent (mg eq) (day 1) and 100 mg eq (day 8), followed by a monthly maintenance dose between 75 mg eq and 150 mg eq (days 36 and 64). Primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (last-observation-carried-forward) at week 13.

RESULTS

Of the 212 enrolled patients, 152 (71.7%) completed the 13-week treatment; withdrawal of consent (24 [11.3%] patients) was the most common reason for study discontinuation. Mean (standard deviation) PANSS total score from baseline (90.0 [17.41]) improved significantly at day 4 (-6.1 [9.27]; 95% confidence interval: -7.38, -4.85; P<0.001) and week 13 endpoint (-23.9 [23.24]; 95% confidence interval: -27.10, -20.78; P<0.001). Similarly, the secondary endpoints (Clinical Global Impression-Severity, Physical and Social Performance, each PANSS subscale, and Marder factor scores) improved significantly from baseline to week 13 endpoint (P<0.001 for all). At week 13, 112/210 (53.3%) patients had a 40% improvement in the PANSS total score (responder rate), and 133/212 (62.7%) patients were ready for hospital discharge. Overall, 139 (65.6%) patients experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). Most common (>5%) TEAEs were hyperprolactinemia, constipation, nasopharyngitis, insomnia, increased weight, and tremor. Worsening of schizophrenia (3.3%) and sinus bradycardia (2.0%) were serious TEAEs; no deaths were reported.

CONCLUSION

PP was generally tolerable and efficacious in a hospital setting for the treatment of acute exacerbated schizophrenia with significant improvements in psychotic symptoms, social functioning, and severity of illness.

A Post-hoc comparison of paliperidone palmitate to oral risperidone during initiation of long-acting risperidone injection in patients with acute schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

First-month data of a 13-week acute schizophrenia study were used to compare paliperidone palmitate to oral risperidone during initiation of long-acting injectable risperidone.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized study.

SETTING

Outpatient or inpatient.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with established (≥1 year) schizophrenia. Those assigned to risperidone long-acting injectable (n=460) received 25mg on Days 8 and 22 with oral risperidone (l-6mg) supplementation for the first 28 days. The paliperidone palmitate group (n=453) received 150mg eq. on Day 1, l00mg eq. on Day 8, and oral placebo supplementation for the first 28 days.

MEASUREMENTS

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Personal and Social Performance Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity score, and responder rate (percentage of patients with ≥30% reduction in PANSS total score). An analysis of covariance model estimated least-square mean differences between treatment groups. A post-hoc analysis of efficacy data for the period of interest, i.e., at the time points before and after the first 28 days, was conducted.

RESULTS

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Personal and Social Performance Scale, Clinical global Impression-Severity scores showed similar efficacy between the treatment groups during the first weeks of treatment, corresponding to the risperidone long-acting injection initiation period. Mean Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score at baseline was 84.7 for paliperidone palmitate and 84.4 for oral risperidone, on Day 22 was 73.6 and 74.1, respectively, and on Day 36 was 71.8 and 72.8, respectively. Overall incidence of adverse events in the first 28 days was generally similar (45% for paliperidone palmitate vs. 35% for oral risperidone), except for injection site pain (4.6% vs. 0.7%). Similar active moiety plasma concentrations were obtained during this period.

CONCLUSION

During the first month, paliperidone palmitate without oral supplementation has similar efficacy and safety to oral risperidone (during initiation of risperidone long-acting injectable) in acutely exacerbated schizophrenia.