Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
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Abstract                                                                                            [Full-Text PDF] [Macedonian Abstract] [OnlineFirst Full-Text PDF]

 

Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2010 Jun 15; 3(2):164-168.

doi:10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2010.0111

Case Report

 

Antipsychotic Augmentation with Venlafaxine for Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Chronic Schizophrenia - A Case Series
 

Elizabeta B. Mukaetova-Ladinska, MD, PhD1; Joaquim Alves da Silva, MD2,3; Jon Darley, MRCPsych4

1Institute for Ageing and Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; 2CEDOC, Department of Mental Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; 3Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital S. Francisco Xavier, CHLO, Portugal; 4Wedgwood Unit, West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom

 

Negative symptoms represent a core feature in schizophrenia and the deficit syndrome in chronic schizophrenic patients is closely related to their poor outcome and global failure in community adaptation. Atypical antipsychotics have been widely used in the treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and tend to produce a better response when used in association with antidepressants. We describe a case series of patients with a clinical diagnosis of residual type of schizophrenia, who have undergone an augmentative treatment of antipsychotic medication with venlafaxine. Both primary and secondary negative symptoms, as well as the overall functioning in these patients were substantially improved following this treatment. This is the first clinical study describing the combination of venlafaxine with both conventional antipsychotics and novel antipsychotics, such as risperidone, to treat successfully both secondary and primary negative symptoms in schizophrenia. We also discuss possible modes of action of the joint use of this particular antidepressant with antipsychotic medication.

 

 

Key words: Schizophrenia; Negative symptoms; Venlafaxine; Antipsychotics.

 

Publication of the MJMS is supported by the Macedonian Ministry of Education and Sciences. Publisher: Institute of Immunobiology and Human GeneticsSkopje, Republic of Macedonia.

This journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics.

MJMS Print (ISSN 1857-5749) is an international peer-reviewed, Open Access journal published four times per year. MJMS Online (ISSN 1857-5773) offers free access to all articles.


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