A Subgroup Analysis of Chinese Patients Switched to Paliperidone Palmitate One-Month Injectable by Prior Oral Antipsychotic Treatment.

Introduction: Safely tapering current antipsychotic medication, while balancing efficacy and tolerability, is an important consideration when switching patients from their antipsychotic therapy to a new treatment. The efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone palmitate one-month (PP1M) in Chinese patients switched from previous antipsychotic treatments were examined in order to develop effective switching and dosing strategies.

Methods: A 13-week open-label, single arm, prospective, interventional study was conducted in Chinese patients (n = 610) with acute schizophrenia to examine their response, by previous treatment group, when switched to PP1M (75-150 mg eq).

Results: Among 610 patients with ≥ 30% reduction in PANSS total score were 191/263 (72.6%) risperidone/paliperidone extended-release patients, 36/52 (69.2%) olanzapine patients, and 214/293 (73.0%) other antipsychotic patients. Patient functioning and adherence were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved for all subgroups.

Discussion: Patients on higher doses of prior antipsychotics generally took longer to withdraw from their current medication. Most patients were administered the 100 mg eq dose, and all subgroups received a similar mean dose (114-119 mg eq) of PP1M. Recommendations for transitioning patients to PP1M from each subgroup are discussed.