Paliperidone added to antipsychotic drugs arsenal
Antipsychotic paliperidone is now available as Invega |
Paliperidone, a new atypical antipsychotic medicine, has been launched this week by Janssen-Cilag.
Branded as Invega and licensed for adults with schizophrenia, paliperidone
is an active metabolite of risperidone. Paliperidone selectively blocks
monoamine effects by binding strongly to serotonergic 5-HT2 and
dopaminergic D2 receptors.
Although paliperidone is a strong
D2-receptor
antagonist, believed to relieve the “positive” symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as delusions, it causes less catalepsy and reduces
motor function
less than traditional neuroleptics, the product information states.
A spokesman for Janssen-Cilag told The Journal that the drug
is not extensively metabolised in the liver — a key safety advantage in terms of both
patients’ hepatic function and the potential for drug interactions.
The antipsychotic medicine is available in a once-daily prolonged-release
tablet designed with a patented “osmotic release oral system” (OROS).
The company spokesman pointed out that the OROS prolonged-release technology
allows steady release of paliperidone throughout the day, without the
usual peaks and troughs, allowing the maintenance dose to be given from
the beginning without titration.
The recommended starting dose is one 6mg tablet taken each morning. Patients
need to decide when they take the medicine in relation to food — patients
can take paliperidone either on an empty stomach or with breakfast, but
they must stick with one option and should not alternate.
Notice-board p8 |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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