Aim: This open-label, multicentre study investigated the clinical efficacy of liquid peroral risperidone in psychotic disorders, the patients' attitudes toward the study medication vs. previous antipsychotic medication and also psychiatrists' opinion of it.
Method: Eighty one patients with psychotic disorder entered the study during 2004. At the baseline (T0), the treatment started with peroral risperidone liquid and lasted for 6 months (T2), with one visit a month after the baseline (T1). Clinical improvement was evaluated using PANSS and CGI, while extrapyramidal side effects were measured by the AIMS scale. The patients' attitudes were evaluated by 3-choice 3-item questionnaire designed for the purposes of present study. Moreover, psychiatrists were asked about their opinion regarding clinical improvement and compliance comparing liquid peroral versus risperidone-tablets.
Results: PANSS and CGI scores yielded clinical improvement (p<0.001, DF=151 and p<0.001, DF=151, respectively). Eighty three per cent of patients preferred peroral liquid risperidone for continuation of treatment. The psychiatrists agreed with the patients in deciding to continue treatment with peroral liquid risperidone (83%) because of better tolerability in 88% patients, better cooperation in 82% and more precise dosage in 80% patients. In terms of mental state, it was observed that during the study symptomatology had worsened in 3% of the study patients, in 6% there were no changes, while all others improved (26% moderately, 65% highly). conclusions: Peroral risperidone liquid was effective and well tolerated in patients with psychotic disorders. The patients' as well as their doctors' attitudes expressed satisfaction with the use of the risperidone peroral formulation. This is the only SAG available in peroral liquid formulation.