Naloxone attenuates drinking behavior in a schizophrenic patient displaying self-induced water intoxication.

Abstract

This study was performed to examine the effect of naloxone on drinking behavior in a schizophrenic inpatient with psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia (PIP syndrome). His body weight was checked five times daily, and the maximum and minimum weight gains during a day were chosen as an index of polydipsia. Both daily (0.6 mg) and repeated (0.6 mg for 6 days) injections of naloxone suppressed his weight gain significantly for 2 weeks. Withdrawal of the drug for 4 weeks resulted in weight gain recovering to control level. Thereafter, a second trial was performed to examine the long-term effect of this treatment. A daily naloxone (0.6 mg) injection series was performed once every 2 weeks for six series (12 weeks). This drug regimen also suppressed his weight gain in a continuous fashion. The study showed that naloxone seems to be a potential treatment for PIP syndrome and that endogenous opioid systems play a part in the compulsive drinking behavior of the PIP syndrome.

• Authors: T Nishikawa, A Tsuda, M Tanaka, M Nishikawa, I Koga, Y Uchida
• Journal: Clinical neuropharmacology (Clin Neuropharmacol) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. 310-4 (Aug 1992) ISSN: 0362-5664 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1516076 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Naloxone

Topics

• Drinking Behavior (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Naloxone (therapeutic use)
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Schizophrenic Psychology
• Water Intoxication (psychology)