A placebo controlled trial of remoxipride in the prevention of relapse in chronic schizophrenia.
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 After a 1 month placebo washout, 23 patients had relapsed and were withdrawn.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 After 24 weeks a further total of 8 remoxipride and 17 placebo patients had been withdrawn. Excluding three patients withdrawn for reasons other than relapse, the comparative relapse rates were 37% and 75%, respectively (P = 0.015).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.
King
D J
DJ
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Blomqvist
M
M
Cooper
S J
SJ
Doherty
M M
MM
Mitchell
M J
MJ
Montgomery
R C
RC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D017330:Remoxipride; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000517:prevention & control*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D017330:Remoxipride