Treatment of psychogenic polydipsia: comparison of risperidone and olanzapine, and the effects of an adjunctive angiotensin-II receptor blocking drug (irbesartan).
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine the outcome of novel strategies in managing a case of severe polydipsia.


METHODS
The patient was a 39-year-old male with a 20-year history of paranoid schizophrenia who, despite only mild residual psychotic symptoms, had been hospitalized for the previous 10 years because of severe polydipsic behaviour complicated by water intoxication.


METHODS
Novel antipsychotic agents, risperidone and olanzapine, as well as the specific angiotensin-II receptor blocking drug, irbesartan were employed at selected intervals in a study lasting nearly 3 years. A strict behavioural management programme was ongoing, in which diurnal weight change and the number of breaches of weight limits, requiring management in a low-stimulus environment, were documented on a daily basis. Summary measures of diurnal weight change and behavioural intervention were charted against changes in treatment.


RESULTS
Polydipsic behaviour improved on risperidone up to 4 mg daily, but was not sustained. Olanzapine was similarly successful in stabilizing polydipsia, and improvement was achieved with the addition of irbesartan.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the D2-sparing profiles of receptor binding achieved with low-dose risperidone and olanzapine may account for this beneficial effect. The benefit derived with irbesartan implicates the involvement of brain angiotensin systems centrally in helping to regulate drinking behaviour.
Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Melbourne, Australia.
D
D
Kruse
C
C
Pantelis
R
R
Rudd
J
J
Quek
P
P
Herbert
M
M
McKinley
D000328:Adult; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014869:Water Intoxication / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077405:Irbesartan; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine