ePrints

Antipsychotic augmentation with venlafaxine for treatment of negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia - A case series

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Elizabeta Mukaetova-Ladinska

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Negative symptoms represent a core feature in schizophrenia and the deficit syndrome in chronic schizophrenic patients is closely related to their poor outcome and global failure in community adaptation. Atypical antipsychotics have been widely used in the treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and tend to produce a better response when used in association with antidepressants. We describe a case series of patients with a clinical diagnosis of residual type of schizophrenia, who have undergone an augmentative treatment of antipsychotic medication with venlafaxine. Both primary and secondary negative symptoms, as well as the overall functioning in these patients were substantially improved following this treatment. This is the first clinical study describing the combination of venlafaxine with both conventional antipsychotics and novel antipsychotics, such as risperidone, to treat successfully both secondary and primary negative symptoms in schizophrenia. We also discuss possible modes of action of the joint use of this particular antidepressant with antipsychotic medication. © 2010.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mukaetova-Ladinska E, da Silva J, Darley J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences

Year: 2010

Volume: 3

Issue: 2

Pages: 164-168

Print publication date: 15/06/2010

ISSN (print): 1857-5749

ISSN (electronic): 1857-5773

Publisher: Univerzitet Sv. Kiril i Metodij

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2010.0111

DOI: 10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2010.0111

Altmetrics

Share