An Open Label Multicentre Study to Determine the Dose Distribution of Paliperidone ER in Patients With Schizophrenia

This trial is a non-randomised (both patient and physician know the study drug), single arm, open label multicentre study which is aimed to evaluate the dose distribution, efficacy and safety in patients with schizophrenia who are switched from an oral atypical antipsychotic to Paliperidone ER. Newly diagnosed patients will also be included in the study. In general, the recommended Paliperidone ER dose will be 6 mg once daily, however some patients may require a higher or lower initial dose in the recommended range of 3 to 12 mg once daily. The dose can be adjusted any point during the study, to a maximum dose of 12mg/day. Flexible dosing was chosen to best mimic actual clinical practice.The study duration will be split into two phases. Phase A will be 12 weeks and Phase B which will be an optional follow up phase will be 40 weeks. Assessment of efficacy and safety will be performed in Phase A at baseline, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 weeks and in Phase B at 20, 28, 36, 44 and 52 weeks. At the first visit, a full psychiatric history, demographic data and physical examination will be undertaken. Throughout the study, the following procedures, documentations and evaluations will be performed: descriptions of concomitant medications; hospitalisations for psychiatric reasons; clinical deterioration; Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) assessments; Community Treatment Order (CTO) status; weight; adherence and adverse event reporting. Physical examinations will be performed periodically. Paliperidone ER OROS will be supplied in 3 mg, 6 mg, and 9 mg tablets for oral administration. In general, the recommended Paliperidone ER dose will be 6 mg once daily, however some patients may require a higher or lower initial dose in the recommended range of 3 to 12 mg once daily. The dose can be adjusted any point during the study, to a maximum dose of 12mg/day. The study duration will be split into two phases. Phase A will be 12 weeks and Phase B which will be an optional follow up phase