A Comparison of Long-acting Injectable Medications for Schizophrenia (ACLAIMS)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01136772 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 3, 2010
Results First Posted : April 24, 2015
Last Update Posted : October 21, 2016
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder | Drug: haloperidol decanoate Drug: paliperidone palmitate | Phase 4 |
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.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 311 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Comparison of Long-Acting Injectable Medications for Schizophrenia |
Study Start Date : | March 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | July 2013 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | July 2016 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Paliperidone palmitate
Intramuscular injections of paliperidone palmitate 39-234 mg every month
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Drug: paliperidone palmitate
Paliperidone palmitate injections, 39 mg - 234 mg once a month
Other Name: Invega Sustenna |
Active Comparator: Haloperidol decanoate
Intramuscular injections of haloperidol decanoate 25-200 mg every month
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Drug: haloperidol decanoate
haloperidol decanoate injections, 25-200 mg once a month
Other Name: Haldol |
- Efficacy Failure [ Time Frame: 24 months ]Efficacy failure as indicated by psychiatric hospitalization, need for crisis intervention, clinical decision that oral antipsychotic medication cannot be discontinued in less than eight weeks, a clinical decision to discontinue the medication due to inadequate benefit, or the ongoing or repeated need for adjunctive antipsychotic medication.
- Changes in Psychiatric Symptoms [ Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months ]The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale measures the core symptoms associated with schizophrenia. The measure includes 30 items rated from 1=absent to 7=extremely severe. Full range of scores is 30-210 with higher scores representing more severe illness. Reductions in symptoms over time represent improvement.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder as defined by DSM-IV-TR criteria
- Age 18-65 years
- Capacity to provide informed consent
- Patients who are likely to benefit from treatment with long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate or haloperidol decanoate
- Women of child bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the Screening Visit.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who are currently stable and doing well on an antipsychotic regimen
- Patients not expected to benefit from the study medications due to past experience with risperidone, paliperidone or haloperidol
- Patients with tardive dyskinesia that is moderate or severe
- Patients with any medical condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, might preclude safe completion of the study
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Patients with mental retardation

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01136772

Principal Investigator: | Scott Stroup, MD, MPH | Columbia University | |
Principal Investigator: | Joseph P McEvoy, MD | Duke University |
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | New York State Psychiatric Institute |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01136772 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
#6017 R01MH081107 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | June 3, 2010 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | April 24, 2015 |
Last Update Posted: | October 21, 2016 |
Last Verified: | July 2016 |
Schizophrenia Psychotic Disorders Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Mental Disorders Haloperidol Paliperidone Palmitate Haloperidol decanoate Antipsychotic Agents Tranquilizing Agents Central Nervous System Depressants Physiological Effects of Drugs Psychotropic Drugs Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists |
Serotonin Antagonists Serotonin Agents Neurotransmitter Agents Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists Dopamine Antagonists Dopamine Agents Antiemetics Autonomic Agents Peripheral Nervous System Agents Gastrointestinal Agents Anti-Dyskinesia Agents |