Risperidone

Abstract: Background Several clinical and research applications require an estimation of therapeutic dose equivalence across antipsychotic medications. Since the advent of the newer atypical antipsychotics, new dose equivalent estimations have been needed. Method The reported minimum effective dose was identified for each newer atypical antipsychotic medication and for haloperidol across all available fixed-dose placebo-controlled studies. Reported minimum effective dose equivalence ratios to haloperidol were then converted to chlorpromazine equivalents using the "2 mg of haloperidol equals 100 mg of chlorpromazine" convention. Data sources and study selection To identify the fixed-dose studies, the following sources were searched until June 2002: MEDLINE, the bibliographies of identified reports, published meta-analyses and reviews, Cochrane reviews, Freedom of Information Act material available from the Food and Drug Administration, and abstracts from several scientific meetings from 1997 to 2002. Results Doses equivalent to 100 mg/day of chlorpromazine were 2 mg/day for risperidone, 5 mg/day for olanzapine, 75 mg/day for quetiapine, 60 mg/day for ziprasidone, and 7.5 mg/day for aripiprazole. Conclusion These equivalency estimates may be useful for clinical and research purposes. The source of the dose equivalency estimation is evidence-based and consistent across medication.

Abstract: ContextAtypical antipsychotic medications are widely used to treat delusions, aggression, and agitation in people with Alzheimer disease and other dementia; however, concerns have arisen about the increased risk for cerebrovascular adverse events, rapid cognitive decline, and mortality with their use.ObjectiveTo assess the evidence for increased mortality from atypical antipsychotic drug treatment for people with dementia.Data SourcesMEDLINE (1966 to April 2005), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (2005, Issue 1), meetings presentations (1997-2004), and information from the sponsors were searched using the terms for atypical antipsychotic drugs (aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone), dementia, Alzheimer disease, and clinical trial.Study SelectionPublished and unpublished randomized placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trials of atypical antipsychotic drugs marketed in the United States to treat patients with Alzheimer disease or dementia were selected by consensus of the authors.Data ExtractionTrials, baseline characteristics, outcomes, all-cause dropouts, and deaths were extracted by one reviewer; treatment exposure was obtained or estimated. Data were checked by a second reviewer.Data SynthesisFifteen trials (9 unpublished), generally 10 to 12 weeks in duration, including 16 contrasts of atypical antipsychotic drugs with placebo met criteria (aripiprazole [n = 3], olanzapine [n = 5], quetiapine [n = 3], risperidone [n = 5]). A total of 3353 patients were randomized to study drug and 1757 were randomized to placebo. Outcomes were assessed using standard methods (with random- or fixed-effects models) to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and risk differences based on patients randomized and relative risks based on total exposure to treatment. There were no differences in dropouts. Death occurred more often among patients randomized to drugs (118 [3.5%] vs 40 [2.3%]. The OR by meta-analysis was 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.23; P = .02; and risk difference was 0.01; 95% CI, 0.004-0.02; P = .01). Sensitivity analyses did not show evidence for differential risks for individual drugs, severity, sample selection, or diagnosis.ConclusionsAtypical antipsychotic drugs may be associated with a small increased risk for death compared with placebo. This risk should be considered within the context of medical need for the drugs, efficacy evidence, medical comorbidity, and the efficacy and safety of alternatives. Individual patient analyses modeling survival and causes of death are needed.

Abstract: Background Atypical antipsychotic agents, which block postsynaptic dopamine and serotonin receptors, have advantages over traditional antipsychotic medications in the treatment of adults with schizophrenia and may be beneficial in children with autistic disorder who have serious behavioral disturbances. However, data on the safety and efficacy of atypical antipsychotic agents in children are limited. Methods We conducted a multisite, randomized, double-blind trial of risperidone as compared with placebo for the treatment of autistic disorder accompanied by severe tantrums, aggression, or self-injurious behavior in children 5 to 17 years old. The primary outcome measures were the score on the Irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and the rating on the Clinical Global Impressions — Improvement (CGI-I) scale at eight weeks. Results A total of 101 children (82 boys and 19 girls; mean [±SD] age, 8.8±2.7 years) were randomly assigned to receive risperidone (49 children) or placebo (52). Treat...

Abstract: Objective: The purpose ofthis study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of risperidone in the treatment ofschizophrenic patients and determine its optimal dose Method: This double-blind study included 388 schizophrenic patients drawn from 20 sites in the United States Patients were randomly assigned to 8 weeks’ treatment with placebo, one of four doses of risperidone (2, 6, 1 0, or 1 6 mg), or 20 mg ofhaloperidol daily Results: Clinical improvement (20% reduction in totalscores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia) at the study end point was shown by 35% ofthe patients receiving 2 mg ofrisperidone, 57% receiving 6 mg, 40% receiving 1 0 mg, and 51 % receiving 1 6 mg; and by 30% receiving haloperidoland 22% receiving placebo Statistically significant differences in clinical improvement were found between 6 and 1 6 mg of risperidone versus placebo and versus haloperidol Positive symptom scores were significantly lower after 6, 10, and 1 6 mg of risperidone and 20 mg ofhaloperidol than placebo; negative symptom scores, however, were reduced significantly, compared with placebo, only after 6 and 1 6 mg ofrisperidone The incidence of extrapyramidal side effects (measured by the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale) was significantly higher in patients treated with 1 6 mg of risperidone or 20 mg of haloperidol than placebo The results indicate that the optimal daily dose ofrisperidone for most schizophrenic patients in this study was 6 mg; this dose was as effective as 1 6 mg, and the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms in patients receiving 6 mg of risperidone was no higher than that in patients receiving placebo Conclusions: Risperidone is a safe antipsychotic that is effective against both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (AmJ Psychiatry 1994; 151:825-835)