Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-60 years * Diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria * At least 3 months since the initial diagnosis of schizophrenia * Either antipsychotic-naïve or previously treated with one antipsychotic but requiring a change due to non-response, poor response, or intolerable side effects. (If previously treated, a washout period of 7 days before study medication initiation) * PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) total score ≥70 * Clinically stable for at least 2 weeks before enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * History of being diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia * Comorbid severe medical or neurological conditions * Pregnant or lactating women * Previous known hypersensitivity to paliperidone or risperidone * Use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics within the last 3 months * Current diagnosis of substance related disorder or substance misuse in the previous month