Is levomepromazine a useful drug in treatment-resistant schizophrenia?
Levomepromazine (LMP) unexpectedly improved 16 of 23 chronic treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients who were hospitalized in most cases for at least 2 years and who manifested positive symptoms, irritability and, in many cases, restlessness, hostility, uncooperativeness, poor concentration and aggressive behavior. Improvement led to discharge in 7 (6 to a foster home), placement on a waiting list for a foster home in 4 and improved behavior and autonomy in 5 patients. Five subjects developed seizures and 1 agranulocytosis. Whether improvement with LMP is caused by unique antischizophrenic properties or by diminished liability to induce side effects such as akathisia, a formal controlled study of LMP in treatment-resistant schizophrenia is merited.
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Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Verdun, Québec, Canada.
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D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008728:Methotrimeprazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior
D008728:Methotrimeprazine