Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia

Objective: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are among the major barriers against rehabilitation of such patients and hinder their appropriate communication with others. Using of adjunctive drugs in addition to current treatments may reduce these symptoms. In this research we have discussed the eff...

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Main Author: Saeed Shoja'-Shafti
Format: Article
Language:fas
Published: University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences 2003-04-01
Series:Journal of Rehabilitation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-289-14&slc_lang=en&sid=1
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author Saeed Shoja'-Shafti
author_facet Saeed Shoja'-Shafti
author_sort Saeed Shoja'-Shafti
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are among the major barriers against rehabilitation of such patients and hinder their appropriate communication with others. Using of adjunctive drugs in addition to current treatments may reduce these symptoms. In this research we have discussed the efficacy of Citalopram, Clomipramine and Alprazolam in reducing such symptoms. Materials & Methods: Forty male, randomly chosen, schizophrenic patients who have been and are hospitalized for life long residential care in Razi psychiatric hospital, had been chosen for a Double-Blind study (CCT) and divided into four groups and treated with 20 mg Citalopram, 0.75 mg Alprazolam, 25 mg Clomipramine and placebo, respectively, in addition to current treatments (typical antipsychosis). After two weeks, there was doubling of foresaid doses, which continued for another two weeks, and then tapered and terminated. Existence and severity of negative symptoms had been measured with the scale of SANS in the beginning and before applying of adjunctive drugs, and then at the end of second week of therapy, and finally at the end of fourth week during these research no side effect had led to distress for patients. Data has been surveyed according to Z and chi-square (X2-test) formula for comparing of variables. Results: Citalopram, Alprazolam, and Clomipramine have decreased the severity of negative symptoms, respectively, in 80%, 50% and 50% of patients. In the majority of these patients these decrease has been restricted to 20% from baseline. Only Clomipramine could decrease up to 40% in two cases. Mean while, Clomipramine but, generally these drugs were more efficacious on mild to moderate symptoms (grade 1,2 and 3). Decreasing of symptoms were independent of each other and with variable patterns. There was no statistically important difference between aged and non aged patients. No patient in control group had any benefit from placebo. Conclusion: Treatment with Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine can result in benefit and decrease of negative. symptoms in schizophrenic patients. In this regard, overally, the lower side effects and pharmacokinetic interactions of Citalopram in comparing with Clomipramine and Alprazolam deserve attention.
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spelling doaj.art-4aa186ffa74c4fafa71cb646e8b405312022-12-22T00:04:28ZfasUniversity of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation SciencesJournal of Rehabilitation1607-29601607-29602003-04-01414249Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in SchizphreniaSaeed Shoja'-Shafti0 University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Objective: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are among the major barriers against rehabilitation of such patients and hinder their appropriate communication with others. Using of adjunctive drugs in addition to current treatments may reduce these symptoms. In this research we have discussed the efficacy of Citalopram, Clomipramine and Alprazolam in reducing such symptoms. Materials & Methods: Forty male, randomly chosen, schizophrenic patients who have been and are hospitalized for life long residential care in Razi psychiatric hospital, had been chosen for a Double-Blind study (CCT) and divided into four groups and treated with 20 mg Citalopram, 0.75 mg Alprazolam, 25 mg Clomipramine and placebo, respectively, in addition to current treatments (typical antipsychosis). After two weeks, there was doubling of foresaid doses, which continued for another two weeks, and then tapered and terminated. Existence and severity of negative symptoms had been measured with the scale of SANS in the beginning and before applying of adjunctive drugs, and then at the end of second week of therapy, and finally at the end of fourth week during these research no side effect had led to distress for patients. Data has been surveyed according to Z and chi-square (X2-test) formula for comparing of variables. Results: Citalopram, Alprazolam, and Clomipramine have decreased the severity of negative symptoms, respectively, in 80%, 50% and 50% of patients. In the majority of these patients these decrease has been restricted to 20% from baseline. Only Clomipramine could decrease up to 40% in two cases. Mean while, Clomipramine but, generally these drugs were more efficacious on mild to moderate symptoms (grade 1,2 and 3). Decreasing of symptoms were independent of each other and with variable patterns. There was no statistically important difference between aged and non aged patients. No patient in control group had any benefit from placebo. Conclusion: Treatment with Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine can result in benefit and decrease of negative. symptoms in schizophrenic patients. In this regard, overally, the lower side effects and pharmacokinetic interactions of Citalopram in comparing with Clomipramine and Alprazolam deserve attention.http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-289-14&slc_lang=en&sid=1Schizphrenia Negative sympotoms Citalopram Clomipramine Alprazolam
spellingShingle Saeed Shoja'-Shafti
Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia
Journal of Rehabilitation
Schizphrenia
Negative sympotoms
Citalopram
Clomipramine
Alprazolam
title Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia
title_full Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia
title_fullStr Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia
title_full_unstemmed Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia
title_short Effeciveness of Citalopram, Alprazolam and Clomipramine in Amelioration of Negative Sympotoms in Schizphrenia
title_sort effeciveness of citalopram alprazolam and clomipramine in amelioration of negative sympotoms in schizphrenia
topic Schizphrenia
Negative sympotoms
Citalopram
Clomipramine
Alprazolam
url http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-289-14&slc_lang=en&sid=1
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