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NOTE: the following two articles are directly from Janssen Press Releases, so are unreviewed by independent sources. As always, these should be considered with an especially skeptical eye. I provide it for informational purposes only.

Brian.

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Janssen Files for Once-Daily Dosing of #1 Antipsychotic

-- Low Dose of Risperdal Evolves as New Dosing Standard --

TITUSVILLE, N.J., and SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Dec. 9 -- Janssen Pharmaceutica has asked to be allowed to market a once daily version of Risperdal, their leading schizophrenia medication. Janssen presented results of a double blind study to the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting that showed that a once daily dosing was an effective treatment to the debilitating disease that affects approximately one percent of the population worldwide.

According to Dr. Steven Potkin of University of California, Irvine, the most difficult part of treating a psychotic patient is complience with taking the prescribed medication. "Once daily dosing of Risperdal will simplify treatment regimens and encourage patient compliance, ultimately helping to improve outcome. The goal is to have the maximum number of patients overcome their symptoms and regain control of their lives," he says.

The average daily dose of Risperdal is 4.7 mg down from 5.2 mg in August, 1996. 95% of all prescriptions are 6 mg or lower.*

Robert Conley, M.D., of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center says that, "Psychiatrists are finding that a low dose of Risperdal is effective for the majority of patients and has a very favoriable side effect profile." Currently, Risperdal is indicated for twice daily administration with the target dose at 3 mg. However, according to Conley, the target dose of approximately 80% of the patients he encounters result with a target dose of 4 mg. Some patients take up to 6 mg, but after 6, the side effects build up significantly but the benefits of the drug do not increase.

Janssen Pharmaceutica, headquartered in Beerse, Belgium, has affiliates in 32 countries. U.S. headquarters are in Titusville, N.J.

*According to the market research firm IMS America

Please consult full prescribing information for Risperdal(R)(risperidone)

SOURCE Janssen Pharmaceutica

-0- 12/9/96

/CONTACT: Christopher Smith or Pallavi Damani, Ketchum Public Relations, 212-878-4655 or 4629 -- Dec. 9-12: ACNP Annual Meeting, Caribe Hilton, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 787-725-0269, or Beeper: 888-864-2737/

(JNJ)

CO: Janssen Pharmaceutica; Johnson & Johnson ST: New Jersey; Puerto Rico IN: MTC SU: PDT

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