First episode schizophrenia: an open clinical trial using risperidone in Malaysia
- Author:
Mazlan Mahmud
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Human;
Male;
Female;
Aged;
Middle Aged;
Adult;
Young Adult;
Adolescent;
SCHIZOPHRENIA;
RISPERIDONE;
CLINICAL TRIAL
- From:
The Philippine Journal of Psychiatry
2003;28(2):10-14
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:
This study aims to determine: the safety and efficacy of risperidone on treatment naive first episode schizophrenia for first episode schizophrenia; and the social and occupational outcome of these patients.
Methodology:
This trial was an open clinical study using oral risperidone for 8 weeks, in treatment naive first episode schizophrenia in Malaysia. All first episode schizophrenic patients from 3 general hospitals in Northern Johor that fulfilled the entry criteria were included in this study. They were assessed by using PANNS, CGI, HoNos, AIMS and Adverse rating scale. They were seen at week 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. In the first week, risperidone was given given at 1mg per day and subsequently adjusted by no more than 1mg per week up to maximum of 8mg/day.
Results:
During the 9 month trial, 44 patients were diagnosed to have first episode schizophrenia, but only consented to be in the study. Nine patients had to dropped out because they required parentheral antipsychotic treatment. Thirty-one patients completed this 8 week trial. Using 20% reduction of PANSS score, 27 patients (87.1%) improved at 8 weeks. Using 50% reduction of PANSS initial score and CGI-S score of 1 or 2, 16 patients (51.6%) improved at 8 weeks.Adverse effects were reported in 8 of the patients (25.8%). The mean dose required was 2.69 mg/day, with maximum dose of 8 mg/day.
Conclusion:
Risperidone is an effective and safe antipsychotic for first episode schizophrenia in Malaysia. The doses required are substantially less than usually needed for chronic schizophrenia.
