Beneficial effects of N-acetylcysteine in treatment resistant schizophrenia.
Poor response to antipsychotics is still an important problem in the treatment of many schizophrenia patients. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a compound that exerts anti-oxidant and scavenging actions against reactive oxygen species. This paper reports a case of poorly responsive schizophrenia patient who improved considerably with add-on NAC 600 mg/day. The NAC might work through activating cysteine-glutamate antiporters or reducing in nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, free radicals and cytokines or through both of these mechanisms.
Bulut
Mahmut
M
Department of Psychiatry, Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Savas
Haluk Asuman
HA
Altindag
Abdurrahman
A
Virit
Osman
O
Dalkilic
Alican
A
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003006:Clopenthixol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C029674:clopenthixol decanoate; D003006:Clopenthixol; D000077152:Olanzapine; D000111:Acetylcysteine