Conditions: Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 311
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this research study is to compare the "real-world" effectiveness of two FDA-approved and widely used long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications (paliperidone palmitate and haloperidol decanoate) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are expected to benefit from the improved medication compliance associated with injectable medications. The goal is to evaluate the effects of the medications on outcomes of importance to patients (relapse, symptoms, adverse effects, functioning) as well as policy makers (all of the above plus costs).

Detailed description:
The purpose of this comparative effectiveness research study is to learn more about different medications called antipsychotics that are used to treat schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Specifically, we are looking at long-acting medications that are given by injection every month, instead of being taken by mouth every day. In this multi-site study, we are comparing the risk and benefits of two FDA-approved long-acting injectable medications (paliperidone palmitate and haloperidol decanoate). Study participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder are expected to benefit from the improved medication schedule.

This study aims to enroll 360 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder for whom treatment with a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication is likely to be helpful. Study participants will be randomly assigned to treatment with either paliperidone palmitate and haloperidol decanoate for up to 24 months. Participants will have an equal chance of being assigned to each medication, however participants will not know which medication they are taking.

Arms:
arm 1: Intramuscular injections of paliperidone palmitate 39-234 mg every month arm 2: Intramuscular injections of haloperidol decanoate 25-200 mg every month

Interventions: intervention 1: haloperidol decanoate intervention 2: paliperidone palmitate
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: haloperidol decanoate injections, 25-200 mg once a month intervention 2: Paliperidone palmitate injections, 39 mg - 234 mg once a month

Protocol document: