title: Antipsychotic combination using low-dose antipsychotics is as efficacious and safe as, but cheaper, than optimal-dose monotherapy in the treatment of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind study.
abstract: The use of antipsychotic combination has been increasing during the last decade. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose amisulpride plus low-dose sulpiride with full-dose amisulpride in the treatment of acute schizophrenia. In this 6-week, double-blind, fixed-dose study, patients were randomized to antipsychotic combination (400 mg/day amisulpride plus 800 mg/day sulpiride, N=46) or monotherapy (800 mg/day amisulpride, N=46) groups. Efficacy measurements included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and subscales, and other scales. Safety and quality of life were also assessed. Response was defined as a 30% reduction in the PANSS total score. Both groups were similar in terms of the following: (a) clinical characteristics at baseline, (b) response rates, and (c) score changes in all psychopathology measures, quality of life, and all side-effect scales after 6 weeks of treatment. There were also no significant between-group differences in changes in other safety measurement. However, the combination strategy did reduce treatment costs. The current study suggests that an antipsychotic combination of low-dose antipsychotics is as efficacious and safe as, but cheaper than, optimal-dose monotherapy in the treatment of schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Fu-Chiang
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shih-Chi
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yu-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsien-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017046:Cost Savings; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016527:Drug Costs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride