An open-label clinical trial of paliperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia in children and adolescents

Objective To evalute the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone ER (paliperidone extended release) in first episode of children and adolescents with schizophrenia.Methods Twenty child and adolescents patients with schizophrenia who were first admitted in hospital were treated with paliperidone ER for 8 weeks.PANSS was used to evaluate the severity and the improvement of mental symptoms,and TESS was used to assess the tolerability of paliperidone.Results Compared with the baseline,the PANSS scores decreased significantly after 8 weeks treatment.The total rate of clinical therapeutic response was 85%.The onset of effect was 1 ～2 weeks.The therapeutic dose was 6～9mg/d.No serious adverse events occurred during the treatment.Conclusion Paliperidone ER is an effective antipsychotic agent for both positive and negative symptoms in the treatment of childhood and adolescent schizophrenia,with rapid onset of effect,few and light side effects,higher safety profile and better compliance.