Janssen announced the launch of Xeplion (paliperidone palmitate), a new once-monthly, Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) anti-psychotic available in the UK. Paliperidone palmitate provides sustained and consistent symptom control and a reduced risk of relapse compared to placebo. It also offers clear practical features for people with schizophrenia, including the option of being delivered in the arm and simple, convenient administration.

People with schizophrenia who do not take their anti-psychotic medication as prescribed (non-adherent) are up to five times more likely to relapse (experience a recurrence of symptoms) than those who adhere to treatment. Furthermore, research suggests that approximately two thirds of people with schizophrenia are partially or fully non-adherent to anti-psychotic therapy. Paliperidone palmitate has been shown to significantly lower relapse rates versus placebo and with about half the number of injections compared to risperdone long-acting injectable (the most commonly prescribed atypical LAI) provides a new option to help people stay on treatment and reduce the risk of relapse.

“Relapse can be devastating for those affected, as well as their friends and family and more needs to be done to improve adherence to medication and ensure positive long-term outcomes,” comments Dr Richard Hodgson, senior clinical lecturer at Keele University and Consultant Psychiatrist at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust. “Long-acting injectable anti-psychotics can help to make it easier for people with schizophrenia to adhere to treatment and could be useful for those who do not remember to take a pill every day.”

Marjorie Wallace, founder and chief executive of SANE, comments: “Preventing relapse in schizophrenia remains a key issue. Providing choice to patients in the care and treatment they receive is important in helping them manage their condition, yet despite being central to government health policy, for many it is still an unmet need. We welcome the greater choice offered by this new treatment. We also hope that with the cuts and reductions in mental health services, it will not mean that people see less of their clinical teams.”

Xeplion (paliperidone palmitate) is a once-monthly, long-acting, injectable, atypical anti-psychotic. It is available in the UK in dose strengths of 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg of paliperidone. After the first two deltoid initiation injections, paliperidone palmitate can be administered in either the deltoid (arm) or gluteal (buttock) muscle.

Paliperidone palmitate is indicated for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients stabilised with paliperidone or risperidone. In selected adult patients with schizophrenia and previous responsiveness to oral paliperidone or risperidone, paliperidone palmitate may be used without prior stabilisation with oral treatment if psychotic symptoms are mild to moderate and a long-acting injectable treatment is needed.

Xeplion received approval from the European Commission for the treatment of schizophrenia on 8 March 2011.

Schizophrenia is relatively common and the prevalence is similar around the world; approximately one person in every 100 will develop schizophrenia at some point in their life. It can be thought of as episodes during which reality is perceived differently to the majority of people.

The symptoms can be divided into two groups: Positive symptoms like hallucinating; seeing or hearing things that other do not, or having delusions – unfounded beliefs that often involve feelings of persecution or paranoia and negative symptoms involve loss of experience. In some cases, especially with hindsight, families may realise that their relative's behaviour has been changing over a period of time in subtle ways.

Schizophrenia typically develops in adolescence or the early 20s, although symptoms may not become immediately obvious.

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