COMUNICADO DE JANSSEN-CILAG

Research shows that schizophrenia patients treated with older,

injectable medication can easily switch to "new-generation" Risperdal

Consta

BARCELONA, 8 Oct. (PRNewswire) -

People with schizophrenia treated with older forms of injectable

medications can easily switch to Risperdal Consta(tm), the first and

only long-acting formulation of a newer-generation, "atypical"

antipsychotic, according to data presented by psychiatrist Dr Pierre

Chue at the 15th Congress of the European College of

Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP).

The study found that 166 patients treated with older-generation

injectable medications for at least four months and who were

classified as stable could be safely and effectively switched to

Risperdal Consta, without the need for supplementation with oral

Risperdal(r) (risperidone). After the switch to Risperdal Consta,

patients" symptoms continued to improve. Most patients were

effectively treated with 25 mg, injected every two weeks, regardless

of the dose they had received of their previous medication.

"The switch to Risperdal Consta was easy to accomplish,"

concluded Dr. Chue of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.

"The injection of Risperdal Consta simply replaced the patients"

usual injection and their symptoms improved further."

Risperdal Consta is the first newer-generation antipsychotic

available as a long-acting injection. It combines the increased

efficacy and fewer side effects of an atypical antipsychotic with the

benefits of a long-acting formulation. Risperdal Consta only needs to

be given every two weeks, so patients do not have to worry about

remembering to take their medication every day.

Several studies of Risperdal Consta have found that the most

frequent side effects believed to be medication-related are similar

to oral risperidone. Controlled clinical trials show that with the

recommended dose of Risperdal Consta (25 mg), the incidence of

extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) is comparable to those seen in patients

who received placebo.

This latest study reinforces earlier research showing that

Risperdal Consta is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for a

disorder that affects up to one in 100 people. Risperdal Consta has

been launched in the UK, Germany and Austria. It is under regulatory

review in a number of other countries around the world.

Risperdal Consta was developed by Johnson & Johnson

Pharmaceutical Research & Development using a novel technology

originated by Alkermes, Inc, in which risperidone is encapsulated in

tiny spheres of biodegradable polymer ("microspheres"). It is marked

by Janssen-Cilag, a Johnson & Johnson company.

The Janssen-Cilag companies, part of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:

JNJ) - one of the world"s most diversified healthcare corporations -

have a long track record in developing and marketing treatments for

central nervous system disorders, pain management, fungal infections

and gastrointestinal conditions. Leading products include Eprex

(anemia), Durogesic (pain management), Topamax (neurology/epilepsy),

Pariet (gastroenterology) and Reminyl (Alzheimer"s disease). More

information can be found at http://www.psychiatry24x24.com or at

http://www.janssen-cilag.com.

Does not necessarily reflect the opinions of ECNP

Source: Janssen-Cilag

Contact: Brigitte Byl, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Services,

Global Pharmaceutical Communications, Europe, Middle-East, Africa,

tel. +32 (0) 2 749 27 72, bbyl@gpcbe.jnj.com.

(70980)

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