JANSSEN'S INVEGA APPROVED FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

JANSSEN'S INVEGA APPROVED FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA
By Dr. Matt Wilkinson, 08-Jan-2007
The new drug, which combines the new molecular entity (NME) paliperidone, the principal active metabolite of Risperdal with a novel drug delivery system, allows once-daily oral dosing rather than the twice daily dosing required for Risperdal.
Schizophrenia is a disabling mental illness, that effects more than two million America,s with symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders, social withdrawal and cognitive deficits. The nature of the illness means that the more infrequent the dosing regime the better, as less time needs to be taken by health workers to check to treatment schedule compliance.
Invega uses Alza Corporation's Oros extended delivery system to provide a once-daily oral paliperidone treatment that employs osmosis to provide percise, controlled drug delivery for up to 24 hours.
The Oros system targets specific areas of the gastrointestinal tract, providing more efficient drug absorption and enhanced bioavailability while eliminating the variability of drug absorption and metabolism often caused by gastric PH and mobility.
Second-generation antipsychotics have found favour with many clinicians due to their increased propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects, which include tremors, slurred speech, anxiety, distress and paranoia.
Http://www.drugresearcher.com/Emerging-targets/Janssen-s-Invega-approved-for-schizophrenia