Effects of naltrexone on mannerisms and water imbalance in polydipsic schizophrenics: a pilot study.
In an open design, the opiate antagonist, naltrexone (25 mg bid), was added for six weeks to the neuroleptic regimen of seven inpatient polydipsic hyponatremic schizophrenics. Mannerisms and diurnal weight change improved slightly, the latter probably not as a consequence of diminished intake alone. Further studies are needed to clarify if stereotypies and polydipsia are modulated by endogenous opiates, and if opiate antagonists are of therapeutic value in this population.
Becker
J A
JA
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, IL 60637, USA.
Goldman
M B
MB
Alam
M Y
MY
Luchins
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone