title: Use of lamotrigine to augment clozapine in patients with resistant schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol dependence: a potent anti-craving effect?
abstract: Comorbid alcohol dependence is common in patients with schizophrenia and is associated with a variety of serious adverse consequences. Although case reports exist concerning the positive impact of lamotrigine addition on clozapine treatment in resistant schizophrenia, a review of the literature fails to document any evidence regarding a combination of the two in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol dependence. In the present study, we present three cases in which patients with resistant schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol use disorder were given lamotrigine to augment clozapine. Our findings suggest that clozapine plus lamotrigine may be helpful in reducing alcohol consumption and craving among patients with schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol dependence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe University, Istanbul, Turkey. akalyon@superonline.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalyoncu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mirsal
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pektas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Unsalan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beyazyürek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014227:Triazines; D003024:Clozapine; D000077213:Lamotrigine