A Long Term Study of Long-acting Injectable Risperidone in the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia

An Open Label, Long Term Trial of Risperidone Long Acting Microspheres in the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to document the long term safety of a long-acting injectable formulation of risperidone in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia who have previously been treated with long-acting risperidone. Efficacy will also be evaluated.

This is an open-label, long-term study of a flexible dose of a long-acting injectable formulation of risperidone (risperidone LAI) injected into the muscle at 2 week intervals for at least 12 months in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. It is an extension of an open label study of patients with schizophrenia (RIS-USA-259) switching from treatment with an oral antipsychotic medication to long-acting injectable risperidone. Safety evaluations include incidence of adverse events, physical examinations, clinical laboratory tests (biochemistry, hematology, and urinalysis), electrocardiograms (ECGs), and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS), a scale for assessing muscle tone, gait, and abnormal movements. Efficacy assessments include measurements using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S). Risperidone (25-50milligrams [mg]) injections, long-acting formulation, every 2 weeks for at least 1 year. Dosages may be increased (50 mgs maximum) or decreased at discretion of the investigator. Supplementary risperidone tablets (1mg) may be administered.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Completion of RIS-USA-256 within 7 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare psychotropic-drug reaction, which may be characterized by confusion, reduced consciousness, high fever or pronounced muscle stiffness
• Significant and untreated or unstable medical illness such as diabetes, hypertension, angina
• Serious illness of the liver, kidney, or significant disturbances of the cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological system
• Pregnant or nursing females, or those lacking adequate contraception
• Known hypersensitivity or unresponsiveness to risperidone