DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Risperidone augmentation of clozapine : A critical review.

Author(s): Kontaxakis VP, Ferentinos PP, Havaki-Kontaxaki BJ, Paplos KG, Pappa DA, Christodoulou GN

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas.Sophias Ave., 11528, Athens, Greece, bkont@cc.uoa.gr.

Publication date & source: 2006-09, Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci., 256(6):350-5. Epub 2006 Aug 8.

OBJECTIVE: Atypical antipsychotics are frequently used as augmentation agents in clozapine-resistant schizophrenic patients. Risperidone (RIS) is the one most studied as a clozapine (CLZ) adjunct. The aim of this study is to critically review all published studies regarding the efficacy and safety of RIS as an adjunctive agent in CLZ-resistant schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients. METHODS: A MEDLINE search from January 1988 to June 2005 was conducted. Identified papers were examined against several clinical, pharmacological and methodological parameters. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies were found (2 randomized controlled trials, 3 open-label trials (OTs) and 8 case-studies (CSs)) comprising 86 schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients (mean age 38.4 years). Mean CLZ dosage during the combined treatment was 474.2 mg/day. Plasma CLZ levels were assessed in 62 patients (72.1%). RIS was added at a mean dosage of 4.6 mg/day for a mean of 7.9 weeks. Significant improvement in psychopathology was reported for 37 patients (43%). A lower RIS dosage and a longer duration of the trial seemed to be associated with a better outcome. Main side effects reported were: extrapyramidal symptoms or akathisia (9.3%), sedation (7%) and hypersalivation (5.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence encourages the use of RIS as an adjunctive agent in CLZ-resistant schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients.

Page last updated: 2006-11-04

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017