European Commission OKs J&J's Xeplion for schizophrenia

Janssen-Cilag International, a subsidiary of US health care giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), says that Xeplion (paliperidone palmitate, already sold under the brand name Invega Sustenna), a once monthly, long-acting injectable, antipsychotic, has received approval from the European Commission for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is relatively common and the prevalence is similar around the world. The lifetime risk for schizophrenia is estimated to be one person in 100, and appears to be the same for men and women up to age 60 years. Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness for both the patients and their families and friends, as it seriously impairs a person's ability to think clearly, relate to others and to function properly in society. While there is no cure, many people with the illness respond well to antipsychotic medicines, the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia.

Importance of relapse prevention