Profile of paliperidone extended release: review of efficacy and safety data

Paliperidone, an active metabolite of risperidone, is the most recent second-generation antipsychotic to become available on the market. This article addresses the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone. A comprehensive review of studies on MEDLINE using terms, such as paliperidone, 9-hydroxy risperidone, efficacy and tolerability, was conducted. Paliperidone, a 9-hydroxy derivative of risperidone is an antagonist at the dopamine and serotonin receptor sites. As paliperidone is an active metabolite of the parent compound risperidone, it is not metabolized hepatically, has minimal drug-drug interactions and is largely excreted unchanged by the kidneys. It follows linear pharmacokinetics. Evidence from short- and long-term trials supports the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone extended release (ER) in the treatment of schizophrenia. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies have demonstrated both paliperidone 6 and 12 mg result in symptom improvement, increase in time of first recurrence of psychotic symptoms as well as significant improvements in personal and social performance. Studies demonstrated increases in plasma prolactin levels and extrapyramidal symptoms with paliperidone ER treatment compared with placebo. Changes in blood glucose and lipid levels with paliperidone ER were comparable to placebo. Overall, paliperidone is an efficacious, well-tolerated addition to the treatment armamentarium for schizophrenia.