Risperidone decreases craving and relapses in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of atypical neuroleptics for decreasing craving and drug relapses during protracted withdrawal in individuals dually diagnosed with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence.


METHODS
We conducted a 6-week, open-label pilot study comparing risperidone with typical neuroleptics in a sample of withdrawn cocaine-dependent schizophrenia patients.


RESULTS
Preliminary results suggest that individuals treated with risperidone had significantly less cue-elicited craving and substance abuse relapses at study completion. Further, they showed a trend toward a greater reduction in negative and global symptoms of schizophrenia.


CONCLUSIONS
Atypical neuroleptics may help reduce craving and relapses in this population. Future research should include more rigorous double-blind placebo-controlled studies with this class of medications.
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone