CITALOPRAM AS AN ADJUVANT IN CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIA - A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

The effects of citalopram - the most selective serotonin reuptake inhi bitor on the market - on psychopathological symptoms were studied in c hronic schizophrenic patients on a stable regimen of neuroleptic medic ation. Out-patients suffering from schizophrenic disorder (DSM-III-R) with Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores higher than 50 were included in a double-blind placebo-controlled add-on study. The daily dose of citalopram was 20 mg in the first week and 40 mg for the remaining period. A total of 90 patients (45 patients receiving cital opram and 45 receiving placebo) completed the 12-week trial. There wer e no changes in neuroleptic plasma levels during the trial. There was a significant decrease in total PANNS scores during the trial, althoug h no statistically significant differences between the citalopram grou p and the placebo group were revealed. The number of responders in ter ms of severity of illness (CGI) was higher and the increase in subject ive well-being (VAS) was greater in patients on citalopram than in tho se receiving placebo. There were no significant differences in the occ urrence of side-effects. It is concluded that, in chronic schizophreni c out-patients, citalopram has no clear effect on the psychopathologic al symptoms; it may improve the general clinical condition, and it app ears to increase the subjective well-being of these patients. Citalopr am appears to be safe when used to treat schizophrenic patients who ar e receiving concomitant neuroleptic treatment.