Initial results have suggested an advantage for cognitive impairment29,102-105 and for negative symptoms,95,106-110 but these advantages have not been consistent across trials.19,42,86,111-114
Combined antipsychotic drugs The assumption that broader or higher level of receptor binding could lead to improved efficacy of antipsychotics constitutes the rationale behind the use of combined antipsychotic therapy. While the use Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of this approach is growing along with the frequent use of polypharmacy in schizophrenia patients (estimated 20 % ),115 little research is available to support it. The data derive mostly from case reports and open studies indicating improved efficacy of clozapine treatment following the addition Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of risperidone,116-122 olanzapine,123 or typical agents, such as pimozide and sulpiride.124-126 However, the rationale behind this strategy remains elusive and the supportive data are doubtful. Selecting polypharmacy regimens according to specific symptoms or on the basis of a putative mechanism of action is way ahead of the current state of basic knowledge of schizophrenia pathophysiology and the recognized mechanism of action of drugs. Furthermore, occasionally, the rationale for combined antipsychotic
treatment contradicts the current theories on mechanisms of action of drugs. Such is the case with the use Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of adjunctive antipsychotics and clozapine. While Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical some of
the presumed advantages of clozapine are related to its limited D2 antagonism, prescribing adjunctive antipsychotics transforms clozapine into a classic drug. Antidepressants Since depressed mood, residual depression, or even demoralization are often taken as unsatisfactory response to treatment, antidepressants are extensively used as adjunctive treatment to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. Most of the data on the use of antidepressants are derived from trials with selective serotonin Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have occasionally,127-131 but inconsistently,132 showed efficacy. At present, there is no convincing evidence to support or refute the use of antidepressants in treating depression in selleck chemicals schizophrenia133,134 and no substantial evidence to support the use of these agents for the treatment of refractory negative symptoms. Furthermore, the question of whether it is possible to distinguish between comorbid major depression, Procaspase activation depressive symptoms, demoralization, anhedonia, and persistent negative symptoms remains open. Mood-stabilizing drug treatments Most of the data on adjunct medications are on lithium and anticonvulsants. Several studies indicated a beneficial effect of lithium in TRS patients.135-138 However, these studies used loose definitions of TRS and small samples. Definitive evidence of a significant efficacy of lithium has not been presented yet.