[Treatment of schizophrenia in subjects with substance use disorders: A review].
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenic patients have a high comorbidity with substance use disorders. However, there are few studies on the efficacy of antipsychotics on psychopathology and on their repercutions on substance abuse.


METHODS
All studies about pharmacological treatment of schizophrenic patients with substance abuse, included in Medline over the last ten years were analyzed.


RESULTS
Of the 17 studies reviewed, most were prospective with small samples (< 30 patients, 5 studies) or case reports (7 studies). Objectives were to assess the efficacy on schizophrenic symptoms and the effect of the treatment on substance use. Atypical antipsychotics were the most studied. These pharmacological agents were effective at reducing symptoms and had few side effects. They also managed lo reduce substance abuse in 66-75% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of underlyng methodological problems of these studies, the findings suggest that atypical antipsychatics could be the treatment of choice in these patients.
Rubio Valladolid
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G
Departamento de Psiquiatría. Universidad Autónoma. Madrid.
Casas Brugué
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M
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine