OBSERVATIONS ON SWITCHING PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA TO RISPERIDONE TREATMENT

This study examined one possible strategy for switching patients to tr eatment with risperidone involving immediate cessation of current neur oleptics and gradual withdrawal of anticholinergic treatments. All pat ients received risperidone monotherapy for at least 4 weeks. Side-effe cts and symptoms were rated and successful switching was defined as co mpletion of the study with no consistent worsening in any rating scale s. Of the 41 patients entered, five withdrew for reasons unconnected w ith the study. Of the remaining 36 patients, 64% (23 patients) were sw itched successfully. Overall, the rating scales showed significant imp rovements (mean score on Krawiecka scale, 11.0 to 6.6, P<0.001), and s ide-effects decreased (mean score on Simpson & Angus scale, 5.1 to 2.9 , P=0.004). The strategy appeared to be successful for most patients, especially those who had previously received depot medication. However , more gradual withdrawal of previous treatments, including anticholin ergics, may be advisable in some cases.