Diazepam treatment of early signs of exacerbation in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Therapeutic intervention at the earliest phase of symptom exacerbation in schizophrenia is an important clinical need, but specific pharmacotherapeutic interventions for this phase of illness have not been established. This study examined diazepam efficacy for this phase of treatment.


METHODS
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial with 53 schizophrenic patients compared diazepam with placebo (with fluphenazine treatment for a comparison group). Treatment was initiated at the earliest signs of exacerbation, and symptom progression was the dependent measure used to evaluate efficacy.


RESULTS
Diazepam was statistically superior to placebo in preventing symptom progression and was comparable to fluphenazine.


CONCLUSIONS
Efficacy data support the use of diazepam in treating prodromal and early warning signs of symptom exacerbation in schizophrenia. This therapeutic strategy may be especially important for patients who refuse antipsychotic drugs or as a supplemental approach in a treatment plan that emphasizes low-dose antipsychotic therapy.
Carpenter
W T
WT
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21228, USA. wcarpent@mprc.umaryland.edu
Buchanan
R W
RW
Kirkpatrick
B
B
Breier
A F
AF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome