engleski

Efficacy and tolerability of the three-month formulation of paliperidone palmitate in first- episode schizophrenia patients

Introduction: Treating patients with first- episode schizophrenia is a challenge. Such patients have much to gain from controlled pharmacotherapy and even more to lose with a possible relapse. Treating patients with long- acting injectable antipsychotics avoids the issue of non-compliance, the biggest risk factor for relapse, while also improving the quality of life. Receiving a drug only four times a year can provide greater flexibility and convenience to our patients. Aim of the paper is to assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of the three-month formulation of paliperidone palmitate long-acting injectable antipsychotic in first-episode schizophrenia patients. Methods: The research included 12 patients aged 19 to 24 years who were diagnosed in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Patients were assessed four times over one year (after each drug application) using the following clinical scales: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression – Severity and Improvement Scale, Personal and Social Performance Scale. Primary safety measures included incidence of adverse events. Results: All treated patients achieved remission. There was a statistically significant improvement in measured scales in all patients. There were no side-effects reported during the study period, with no relapse or new hospitalizations. Conclusion: The three-month formulation of paliperidone palmitate has proven to be effective and safe in our study, and has great potential to improve patient quality of life as well. Keywords: three-month paliperidone palmitate ; efficacy ; tolerability ; long-acting antipsychotics ; first-episode schizophrenia

efficacy ; tolerability ; paliperidone palmitate ; first-episode ; schizophrenia patients

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