Efficacy and Safety of Elpipodect (MK-8189) in Participants With an Acute Episode of Schizophrenia (MK-8189-008)

Inclusion Criteria: The main inclusion criteria include, but are not limited to the following: * Meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the DSM-5 * Have an illness duration for schizophrenia of at least 1 year * Be confirmed to be experiencing an acute episode of schizophrenia as evidenced by ALL of the following: (a) onset of the current acute episode is ≤6 weeks before screening (b) current symptoms represent a marked and substantial worsening compared with the participant's usual symptomatic state prior to the current acute episode, and are associated with diminished functional ability (c) in need of increased psychiatric attention to treat worsening acute episode symptoms * Have a CGI-S score of ≥4 (moderately ill) at screening and baseline * Have an identified responsible person referred to as the "external contact person" who has agreed to provide information about the participant's location if needed during outpatient portion of the study. The site personnel must consider this identified responsible person a reliable contact person, and the contact person must have regular contact with the participant (defined at screening as direct contact no fewer than 3 times per week), and with the expectation that this frequency of contact would continue (either in person or via other contact method), throughout duration of the study, including the follow-up period) Exclusion Criteria: The main exclusion criteria include, but are not limited to the followi…