Neuroleptic augmentation with alprazolam: clinical effects and pharmacokinetic correlates

Alprazolam added to stable doses of neuroleptics in nine schizophrenic patients was associated with a 20%-30% mean reduction in positive and negative symptoms, although clinical response was variable and in some patients particularly brisk. The authors examined the possibilities of a pharmacokinetic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of psychiatry Vol. 146; no. 2; p. 231
Main Authors Douyon, R, Angrist, B, Peselow, E, Cooper, T, Rotrosen, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.02.1989
Subjects
Adult
Alprazolam - blood
Alprazolam - pharmacokinetics
Alprazolam - therapeutic use
Antipsychotic Agents - blood
Antipsychotic Agents - pharmacokinetics
Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use
Basal Ganglia Diseases - chemically induced
Drug Synergism
Drug Therapy, Combination
Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced - etiology
Female
Fluphenazine - blood
Fluphenazine - pharmacokinetics
Fluphenazine - therapeutic use
Haloperidol - blood
Haloperidol - pharmacokinetics
Haloperidol - therapeutic use
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Schizophrenia - blood
Schizophrenia - drug therapy
Schizophrenic Psychology
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Summary:Alprazolam added to stable doses of neuroleptics in nine schizophrenic patients was associated with a 20%-30% mean reduction in positive and negative symptoms, although clinical response was variable and in some patients particularly brisk. The authors examined the possibilities of a pharmacokinetic effect of alprazolam on neuroleptic plasma levels and of a clinical effect of alprazolam. The modest increase in mean neuroleptic plasma levels did not correlate with clinical change, but those patients with the highest alprazolam plasma levels tended to show more robust clinical responses.
ISSN:0002-953X
DOI:10.1176/ajp.146.2.231