The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7211 p208
17 August 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
Janssen-Cilag (www.janssen-cilag.com)

Long-acting atypical antipsychotic drug launched

A long-acting injectable formulation of risperidone, Risperdal Consta, has been launched this week by Janssen-Cilag (see p212).

The formulation consists of risperidone encapsulated in microspheres. When these are injected into the gluteal muscle, the drug is released gradually and provides continuous and consistent levels of drug in the bloodstream.

The injection, which is given every two weeks, initially releases less than 1 per cent of the administered dose and the main phase of risperidone release starts after three weeks. Therefore, the company recommends antipsychotic supplementation is given during the first three weeks of treatment with Risperdal Consta. Therapeutic plasma concentrations of risperidone remain until four to six weeks after the last Risperdal Consta injection.