The atypical antipsychotic sertindole: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Psychotic disorders are often difficult to treat with traditional neuroleptics. Sertindole is a new atypical neuroleptic with a broader CNS receptor profile.


METHODS
Ten patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were treated with sertindole for 18 months and observed for changes in Clinical Global Impression scale scores.


RESULTS
Nine patients experienced a reduction of symptoms after 12 months of treatment. Eight patients completed 18 months of treatment, all exhibiting overall improvement. Despite side effects of tiredness, weight gain, headache, nausea, and decreased ejaculatory volume, sertindole was generally well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Sertindole appears to be a useful treatment in psychotic disorders. It may present an advantage over traditional neuroleptics in the form of fewer extrapyramidal symptoms and improvement of negative symptoms.
Lee
A M
AM
Mental Health Connections Research, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Knoll
J L
JL
Suppes
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D007211:Indoles; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; C066304:sertindole