Cognitive and behavioral effects of the coadministration of dextroamphetamine and haloperidol in schizophrenia

Article Abstract:

Amphetamines are potent drugs that are thought to intensify psychotic symptoms (e.g. seeing visions, hearing voices), especially paranoia. There have been reports, however, that amphetamines improve other symptoms in some patients with schizophrenia despite the fact that psychotic symptoms are often present and risk being aggravated. There is interest in knowing whether amphetamines can be used to treat schizophrenics without the exacerbation of psychotic symptoms if they are given in conjunction with a medication to treat psychotic symptoms. One such antipsychotic medication is haloperidol, often used to treat schizophrenia. Twenty-one patients with chronic schizophrenia who were hospitalized on a research ward received a single oral dose of dextroamphetamine, or else a placebo. All patients were taking haloperidol. Cognitive (memory and learning) tests, motor (movement) tests, mood ratings, and videotape evaluation of behavior were used to determine the effect of the coadministration of these drugs. Amphetamine improved performance on a card sorting task but did not result in changes on performance on tests of memory or attention. As a group, the patients were more active and performed motor tasks more quickly while receiving amphetamine. Six patients were judged by raters to have improved in terms of cooperation and connection with others. No patient worsened. These results may be consistent with the speculation that coadministration of amphetamine and haloperidol produces improvement in schizophrenics. However, because of the nature of the trial and the research environment the administration of amphetamine for the treatment of schizophrenia cannot be advocated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Antipsychotic drugs, Antipsychotic agents, Higher nervous activity, Haloperidol, Dextroamphetamine

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Chronic schizophrenia: response to clozapine, risperidone, and paroxetine

Article Abstract:

The case of a 46-year-old single Chinese woman who suffered from chronic schizophrenia is presented. The patient suffered from the disorder for 30 years and has undergone treatment including one based on a mixed dosage of clozapine, risperidone and paroxetine. The therapeutic agents helped her overcome, to a large degree, the negative traits of social withdrawal and lack of initiative. She, nonetheless, needs social skills training to surmount the tendency to experience recurring symptoms of the disorder.

Usage, Case studies, Paroxetine, Clozapine

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Optimal risperidone dose in drug-naive, first-episode schizophrenia

Article Abstract:

A study to determine the optimal dose of risperidone in cases of drug-naive, first-episode schizophrenia is discussed. The mean optimal dose in a group of 17 patients was 2.7 mg/day (SD=0.89).

Letter to the Editor

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