Transition from ziprasidone im to oral formulation in agitated patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: an open trial

Introduction: A transition from IM to oral formulation of an antipsychotic agent is often required during the long-term management of schizophrenia. This multicenter trial evaluates the IM/oral sequential administration of ziprasidone in agitated subjects with an exacerbation of schizophrenia. Methods: Adult patients requiring IM therapy for schizophrenic symptoms were assigned to IM ziprasidone 10 mg for 3 days, followed by oral ziprasidone (initial dose: 80 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy outcomes were the change in the total PANSS and in the CGI-S scores vs. baseline values. Results: In total, 150 patients were included in the study. A decline in the PANSS and CGI-S scores was observed throughout the study (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline): these reductions became significant at the point of transition from IM to oral formulation (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline). Discussion: Even with the limitations of any non-comparative study, these results suggest that the IM/oral sequential administration of ziprasidone is an effective and well tolerated therapeutic option in the management of acute exacerbations of schizophrenia in agitated patients.