Famotidine in the management of schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use and potential benefit of famotidine in the m anagement of schizophrenia. DATA SOURCES: Clinical literature accessed through MEDLINE (February 1998-O ctober 1998). Key search terms included famotidine, schizophrenia, and hist amine. DATA SYNTHESIS: Schizophrenia is a complicated disorder associated with hig h morbidity if left unmanaged. Histamine(2) (H-2)-antagonists may be an alt ernative to conventional treatments. An evaluation of studies focusing on f amotidine in the management of schizophrenic symptoms was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Famotidine can improve schizophrenic symptoms that were otherw ise refractory to typical antipsychotic agents. Further studies should be c onducted to determine if other H-2-antagonists are also effective.