title: Aripiprazole plus topiramate in opioid-dependent patients with schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, open-label, uncontrolled, preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to evaluate a combination of aripiprazole and topiramate in the treatment of opioid-dependent patients with schizoaffective disorder undergoing methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and, further, to taper off patients from methadone treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients who met DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) criteria for opioid dependence and schizoaffective disorder receiving MMT (80 mg/day) were given aripiprazole (10 mg/day) plus topiramate (up to 200 mg/day) for 8 weeks. A methadone dose reduction of 3 mg/day until suspension at week 4 was established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aripiprazole plus topiramate was effective in reducing clinical symptoms, and a rapid tapering off of MMT was achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining aripiprazole and topiramate may be effective in patients with a dual diagnosis of opioid dependency and schizoaffective disorder.
authors.affiliation: a Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Vincenzo M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pandolfo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scimeca
authors.forename: Rocco A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Zoccali
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria A
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Muscatello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009294:Narcotics; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D008691:Methadone
keywords: Aripiprazole; methadone; opioid-dependent subjects; schizoaffective; topiramate