Zotepine in the treatment of acute hospitalized schizophrenic episodes

The atypical antipsychotic zotepine was studied in an open, multicentre unc ontrolled, post-marketing surveillance study in 108 schizophrenic patients hospitalized in 12 trial centres in Austria. Within the dosage range of 50- 450 mg (mean at the end of the study, 207 +/- 125 mg/day), a significant re duction of positive as well as negative symptoms was noted. There was no in crease in extrapyramidal side-effects during the study and a significant de crease in akathisia scores. The medication was well tolerated during the 42 -day observation period. Zotepine improved both positive and negative sympt oms and was not accompanied by extrapyramidal side-effects, justifying its classification as an atypical antipsychotic. Int clin Psychopharmacol 16:16 3-168 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.