title: May selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) provide some benefit for the treatment of schizophrenia?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of some psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia (e.g. negative and depressive symptoms) is still challenging for the modest efficacy of atypical antipsychotics. Among pharmacological alternatives, augmentative Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) to antipsychotics are frequently prescribed in clinical practice to improve negative/depressive symptoms of schizophrenia patients; however, the data about the efficacy of these molecules on negative, depressive and obsessive-compulsive symptoms of schizophrenia are contrasting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research using the main database sources has been conducted to obtain an overview of the use and efficacy of SSRIs in schizophrenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data are too scanty to draw definitive recommendations. In a preliminary way, it can be said that available data do not show effectiveness of SSRIs on depressive symptoms of schizophrenia. Regarding negative symptoms, studies are contrasting, but paroxetine appears to be the most effective compound among SSRIs. Despite limited data, SSRIs appear to be useful for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly fluvoxamine. Close clinical and pharmacological monitoring is needed in case of concomitant administration of antipsychotics and antidepressants for potential serious side effects and influence on plasma drug dosages.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buoli
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serati
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciappolino
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: A Carlo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Altamura
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs); depression; negative symptoms; obsessive-compulsive symptoms; schizophrenia