title: A placebo-controlled comparison of zotepine versus chlorpromazine in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of zotepine in the treatment of acute episodes of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia (DSM-III-R criteria; n = 158) were allocated on a random, double-blind basis to receive zotepine (150 or 300 mg/day), chlorpromazine (300 or 600 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Symptoms were assessed on the BPRS, SANS and CGI scales at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 and patients were assessed at these times for adverse effects. Analysis was by analysis of variance on the intent-to-treat population, with last observation carried forward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean BPRS scores improved statistically significantly more with zotepine than chlorpromazine (point estimate of difference -12.4, 95% CI -18.3 to -6.5) or placebo (point estimate of difference -12.7, 95% CI -18.6 to -6.8). Zotepine produced significantly fewer extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) than chlorpromazine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zotepine is an effective antipsychotic with low propensity for EPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tweed
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raniwalla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003988:Dibenzothiepins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003988:Dibenzothiepins; C022172:zotepine; D002746:Chlorpromazine