Beneficial effects of nalmefene augmentation in neuroleptic-stabilized schizophrenic patients

Neuropsychopharmacology. 1993 Sep;9(2):111-5. doi: 10.1038/npp.1993.49.

Abstract

It was postulated that chronic blockade of the opioid system in neuroleptic-stabilized schizophrenic patients would have a beneficial behavioral effect. Eleven neuroleptic-stabilized psychotic inpatients received augmentation with nalmefene for an average of 36.7 days in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. The patients exhibited significant reductions in Bunney-Hamburg psychosis ratings and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale thinking disturbance subscale during the augmentation period. This study presents preliminary data supporting the hypothesis that chronic augmentation of neuroleptic-stabilized schizophrenic patients with opiate antagonists is beneficial.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Homovanillic Acid / blood
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / blood
  • Naltrexone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Naltrexone
  • Prolactin
  • nalmefene
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Homovanillic Acid