Paliperidone in an Adult Patient with Asperger Syndrome: Case Report

Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder, in which pharmacological treatment is indicated in cases with severe behavioural or psychotic symptoms. For example, risperidone has frequently been used to treat behavioural symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, but its efficacy is limited due to the relatively high frequency of adverse effects. We report a case of Asperger syndrome with psychotic features that responded well to paliperidone, the principal metabolite of risperidone. Paliperidone at a dose of 6 mg per day was clinically effective in the treatment of both psychotic and autistic symptoms, and was generally well tolerated, probably due to its oral extended release formulation.

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