A placebo controlled trial of remoxipride in the prevention of relapse in chronic schizophrenia.

Abstract

Sixty-two DSM III chronic schizophrenic inpatients were selected for a double-blind, placebo controlled, multi-centre, relapse prevention study of remoxipride, a selective dopamine (D2)-receptor antagonist. After a 1 month placebo washout, 23 patients had relapsed and were withdrawn. Of the remaining patients 19 were randomised to remoxipride (150-300 mg daily) and 20 to placebo. Their median age was 58 years, 26 were male, and the median duration of illness was 33 years. After 24 weeks a further total of 8 remoxipride and 17 placebo patients had been withdrawn. Excluding three patients withdrawn for reasons other than relapse, the comparative relapse rates were 37% and 75%, respectively (P = 0.015). Efficacy analyses using clinical global impression (P = 0.04) and change in BPRS scores (P = 0.016) were in favour of remoxipride. Extrapyramidal symptoms were minimal in both groups. Treatment emergent adverse events were similar in the two groups. Remoxipride is therefore of potential value as a safe drug which is both effective and well tolerated in the long term management of chronic schizophrenic patients.

• Authors: D J King, M Blomqvist, S J Cooper, M M Doherty, M J Mitchell, R C Montgomery
• Journal: Psychopharmacology (Psychopharmacology (Berl)) Vol. 107 Issue 2-3 Pg. 175-9 ( 1992) ISSN: 0033-3158 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 1352050 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Benzamides
• Remoxipride

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Benzamides (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Recurrence
• Remoxipride
• Schizophrenia (prevention & control)