Abstract

Risperidone (Risperdal – Janssen) and remoxipride (Roxiam – Astra) are oral antipsychotic drugs. Risperidone, launched in the UK earlier this year, is promoted as a “comprehensive symptom treatment for patients with schizophrenia”. Remoxipride, marketed in the UK in 1991, is licensed only for the treatment of patients who cannot tolerate other neuroleptic drugs and is claimed to separate “the benefits of control from the burden of side effects” Does either risperidone or remoxipride represent a real advance in the treatment of schizophrenia?