POST MARKETING SURVEILLANCE STUDY ON RISPERIDONE IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Schizophrenia is one of the commonest psychiatric ailments. It has been estimated that approximately 1% of the population and 15% of the adults suffers from this disease.

Risperidone, atypical antipsychotic, acts mainly by 5HT2 blockade action. Produce virtually no extra pyramidal side effects at low dose, has a broad efficacy. But extra pyramidal dysfunction can appear at higher doses. We conducted a post marketing surveillance study on risperidone in 40 patients suffering from schizophrenia at Psychiatric department of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. In this study we specially studied its efficacy and safety. The results of this study are consistent with phase III clinical studies on risperidone carried out in Indian patients except its effects on food intake. As far as the efficacy of risperidone in patient with schizophrenia is concerned, it provided good symptomatic relief In term of safety, 7 patients out of 40, experience adverse effects like decrease appetite, constipation, insomnia, EPS and NMS. Patient with NMS was admitted in hospital and was died later on.