The effect of dopamine partial agonists on the nicotine dependency in patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
We compared the effects of haloperidol and three atypical antipsychotics (risperidone, olanzapine, and aripiprazole) on nicotine dependence in schizophrenic patients.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty nine schizophrenic patients, who began using antipsychotic medication, were assessed for severity of nicotine dependence and for cigarette craving at baseline and following 8 weeks of treatment using the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) and a Likert-style, seven point, visual-analogue rating scale.


RESULTS
Nicotine dependence increased in the haloperidol group, but not in atypical antipsychotics groups. Patients treated with aripiprazole showed a reduction both in nicotine dependence and cigarette craving.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of aripiprazole, a partial agonist of the dopamine D2 receptor, may reduce the severity of nicotine dependence in schizophrenic patients.
Kim
Se Hee
SH
Department of Psychiatry, Chung Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Han
Doug Hyun
DH
Joo
So Youn
SY
Min
Kyung Joon
KJ
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000819:agonists; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2