Business Wire - Janssen’s Risperdal Surpasses Conventional Therapies As No. 1 Prescribed Antipsychotic
TITUSVILLE, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 1, 1996–Risperdal(R) (risperidone), the drug therapy introduced by Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1994 for the management of psychotic disorders, has become the most often prescribed antipsychotic, capturing 20.7 percent of the market, the company announced today. New prescriptions written for Risperdal surpassed those for Haldol(R) (haloperidol), the antipsychotic market leader for years, according to the most recent weekly National Prescription Audit conducted by the market research firm IMS America.
Related Results
HaldolTrust, E-innovation and Leadership in ChangeForeign Banks in United States Since World War II: A Useful FringeBuilding Your Brand With Brand Line ExtensionsThe Impact of the Structure of Debt on Target Gains
The National Prescription Audit also showed that the prescription growth rate of Risperdal far exceeded that of its competitors. From July 1995 to July 1996, prescriptions for Risperdal increased by 80 percent, while prescriptions for all antipsychotics combined increased only six percent.
Since its introduction, Risperdal has become a standard of care in treating schizophrenia because of its combination of efficacy, safety and tolerability. It is the first serotonin dopamine antagonist (SDA) to receive marketing approval for first-line use in the treatment of schizophrenia.
“We’re proud that Risperdal has redefined the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses. In just two years, Risperdal has helped more than one million people regain control of their lives, and has continued to demonstrate a predictable safety and tolerability profile,” said Bruce Given, M.D., group vice president, Janssen Pharmaceutica. “Becoming the most prescribed antipsychotic is a vote of confidence from psychiatrists and patients who turn to Risperdal as a standard of care. Risperdal will continue to be a therapy of choice even when new agents become available.”
In June of this year, Janssen received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market an oral solution formulation of Risperdal. Due to its ease of administration, Risperdal Oral Solution will provide treatment benefits to a wider range of patients, particularly for the elderly, for whom liquid formulations are frequently prescribed, and for patients treated in an acute care setting.
Janssen is also conducting a clinical trial with Risperdal among elderly patients to support a safety claim in the product’s labeling, and is investigating the use of Risperdal in elderly patients suffering from psychotic symptoms. Because of safety concerns, not all antipsychotics are potential first-line therapies for the elderly. A number of factors need to be considered, including the metabolic profile of the drug, comorbidities, concomitant medications and the like.
“In addition to being well tolerated, Risperdal has not been associated with impaired cognitive function, such as cloudy thinking or impaired memory that can hamper a patient’s ability to reintegrate into society,” noted Dr. Given. “Reducing cognitive impairment is the next frontier of antipsychotic research, and Janssen is leading the way.”
Clinical studies have shown that the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) with Risperdal, while dose dependent, is comparable to placebo at recommended doses. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials were insomnia, agitation, EPS, headache, anxiety and rhinitis; less common were somnolence, dizziness, constipation, nausea and tachycardia. Risperdal may also cause orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure, especially during the initial dosing period.
Janssen continues to pursue advances for the treatment of illnesses associated with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. As part of Janssen’s commitment to CNS research, Janssen is currently investigating treatments in the area of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, anxiety and depression. Janssen Pharmaceutica has companies in 32 countries. U.S. headquarters are in Titusville, N.J.
Please refer to complete prescribing information for Risperdal(R) (risperidone).
Editor’s Note: Interviews are available with physician experts and Janssen executives.
CONTACT: Ketchum Public Relations
Christopher Smith, 212/878-4655
or
Pallavi Damani, 212/878-4629
COPYRIGHT 1996 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
