Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and effect on personal and social function of paliperidone extended-release tablets (paliperidone ER) as substitution in inpatients experiencing an acute episode of schizophrenia, and unresponsive to prior medications of olanzapine besids.METHODS: Forty-five patients enrolled were assigned to receive paliperidone ER or risperidone for 6 weeks, meanwhile their prior medications of olanzapine were slowly tapered off within first 2 weeks. Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the efficacy, Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) for social function, Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) for tolerability and safety.RESULTS: PANSS total and PANSS factors scores significantly decreased from baseline to end point in paliperidone ER treatment group (P<0.01), moreover, significant improvements in mean PSP scale scores were observed (P<0.01). Paliperidone ER treatment was associated with low incidence of adverse events including insomnia, somnolence, extrapyramidal disorder, increased serum prolactin concentration, which could be well tolerated.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that paliperidone ER, as substitution for olanzapine combines consistent efficacy in significantly improving the symptoms of schizophrenia and personal and social functioning with a favorable safety profile, may provide a valuable new alternative for schizophrenia.

Key words: Paliperidone, Olanzapine, Risperidone, PSP, Schizophrenia