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Observations on switching patients with schizophrenia to risperidone treatment. Risperidone Switching Study Group
G K Kirov1, R M Murray, R V Seth
1Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Switching to risperidone was successful for 64% of patients using immediate neuroleptic cessation and gradual anticholinergic withdrawal. This strategy improved symptoms and reduced side-effects in risperidone monotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antipsychotic medication management is crucial for psychiatric disorders.
- Risperidone is a widely used atypical antipsychotic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a specific strategy for switching patients to risperidone.
- To assess the efficacy and tolerability of this switching protocol.
Main Methods:
- Immediate cessation of current neuroleptics.
- Gradual withdrawal of anticholinergic treatments.
- Risperidone monotherapy for at least 4 weeks with symptom and side-effect monitoring.
Main Results:
- 64% (23 of 36) of patients were successfully switched.
- Significant improvements observed in Krawiecka scale scores (11.0 to 6.6, P < 0.001).
- Significant decrease in Simpson & Angus scale side-effect scores (5.1 to 2.9, P = 0.004).
Conclusions:
- The evaluated strategy is successful for a majority of patients switching to risperidone.
- The strategy was particularly effective for patients previously on depot medication.
- A more gradual withdrawal of prior treatments may be beneficial for some individuals.