Efficacy and Tolerability of Risperidone in Chronic Schizophrenic Thai Patients
WERADEJ WERAPONGSET, M.D.*, SUMATE CHAISIRIKUL, M.D.**, WEERA CHURUJIPORN, M.D.**, TAWEESIN VISANUYOTHIN, M.D.***, DARANES KESS A WAI, M.D.***, CHA WANUN CHARISILP, M.D.****, NORA CHAT RA TANACHATA, M.D.*****, KITTIPONG SANICHW ANNAKUL, M.D.******, PUNNAPA WANGDEE, M.D.*******, ANURAK BUNDITCHATE, M.D.********, PRAPAS UKRANAND, M.D.*
Affiliation : *Nitichitavej Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Bangkok 10170, **Suan Saranrom Psychiatric Hospital, Surat Thani 84130, ***Somdej Chaopraya Psychiatric Hospital, Bangkok 10600, ****Department of Psychiatry, Srinakarin Hospital, Khon Kaen 40000, *****Nakomratchasrima Psychiatric Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ******Suanprung Psychiatric Hospital, Chiang Mai 50000, *******Srithanya Psychiatric Hospital, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.
Abstract Risperidone is a novel serotonin-dopamine antagonist antipsychotic in a class of benzi- soxazole derivative which has been shown to be effective in reducing psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. The study was designed as perspective, 8-week, multicenter, open label study in schizophrenic patients from 6 psychiatric hospitals. One hundred and twenty cases were recruited and 105 patients completed the study. The average total PANSS score at the baseline was 90.6 (range 60-133). Patients were evaluated with quantitative rating scales for the efficacy (PANSS score) and extrapyramidal rating scale at week 4 and 8 after starting risperidone treatment. The titrated dose of risperidone was given to the patients with the final dose of 6 mg risperidone throughout the study period. At week 4, the average PANSS score was significantly reduced to 73.4 (p<0.05). The average PANSS score at week 8 was further declined to 61.9 which was sig- nificantly different (P<0.05) from the beseline. Seventy-eight cases (74.3%) were classified as responders (those patients showing more than 20 per cent decrease in PANSS score). Extrapyra- midal side effect was occurred in some patients, but usually mild and tolerable. However twenty-four patients (22.9%) required medications for this side effect. Other adverse reactions were insomnia found 15 cases (14.3%), elevated hepatic enzyme 5 cases (4.8%) and weight gained 2 cases (1.9%). Our data suggested that risperidone is effective and well-tolerated in chronic schizophrenic Thai patients.
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