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Pharmacopsychiatry 2011; 44(4): 142-147
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1279728
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Augmentation Treatment with Amisulpride in Schizophrenic Patients Partially Responsive to Olanzapine

J. D. Molina1 , 6 , F. Toledo-Romero2 , E. López-Rodríguez3 , M. Amorin-Díaz4 , I. Lerma-Carrillo1 , F. López-Muñoz5 , 6
  • 1Acute In-Patient Unit, Dr. R. Lafora Psychiatric Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  • 2“Virgen de la Arrixaca” University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
  • 3“Rafael Méndez” Hospital, Lorca, Murcia, Spain
  • 4Northwest District Hospital, Caravaca, Murcia, Spain
  • 5Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
  • 6Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

received 21.12.2010 revised 20.03.2011

accepted 21.03.2011

Publication Date:
27 June 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: The association of antipsychotics is a widespread therapeutic resource in clinical practice. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of amisulpride augmentation in patients responding at least partially to olanzapine.

Methods: In this observational 3-months open-label investigation, we evaluated the effectiveness of the addition of amisulpride to 49 subjects, after having scored at least 25 on the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) following olanzapine monotherapy for 6 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline, 1 and 3 months using the BPRS, the clinical global impression severity of illness (CGI-S) scale and the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser side effect rating scale (UKU).

Results: In subjects who were at least partially responsive to monotherapy with olanzapine, coadjuvant treatment with amisulpride achieved a statistically significant improvement in mental status over a 3 month period as measured by the BPRS, CGI and UKU scales. The response rate (>20% reduction in BPRS score) was 75.51%.

Conclusions: Amisulpride augmentation, in a group of patients partially or non-responsive to olanzapine, may lead to an improvement in schizoprenic symptoms. However, these results are subject to several limitations making it difficult to derive firm clinical recommendations, and underscoring the need for future research into the value of these therapeutic alternatives in poor responders.

Key words

olanzapine - amisulpride - augmentation - schizophrenia - treatment resistance

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Correspondence

Dr. J. D. Molina

Acute Inpatient Unit

Coordinator

Doctor R. Lafora Psychiatric

Hospital

Carretera de Colmenar Viejo,

Km. 13800

28049 Madrid

Spain

Phone: +34/91/586 7633

Email: candrader@medynet.com

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