Amisulpride Augmentation in Acute Catatonia.
Benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment of catatonia, but a substantial number of patients do not respond to them. Amisulpride is one of the atypical antipsychotic that has been effective for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. We examined the effect of augmentation of oral low doses of amisulpride with lorazepam on resolution of catatonic symptoms. Fifteen patients with catatonia were treated with a combination of oral lorazepam (2-4 mg) with amisulpride (100 mg). Catatonic symptoms were rated using the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale at the baseline and daily thereafter. There was complete resolution of catatonic symptoms on the third day in all patients. There was significant reduction of the total Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score over time (F = 181.38, P < 0.001) with a strong effect size (partial η = 0.96). Augmentation of lorazepam with low-dose amisulpride can be a reliable strategy for management of catatonia.
1Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Jammu, India; 2Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India; and 3Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Jammu, India.
Manu
M
Arora
Rakesh
R
Banal
Samir K
SK
Praharaj
Vivek
V
Mahajan
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002389:Catatonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018757:GABA Modulators; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D008140:Lorazepam