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KMID : 1009020110090020073
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Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2011 Volume.9 No. 2 p.73 ~ p.77
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The Tolerability of Mirtazapine Augmentation in Schizophrenic Patients Treated with Risperidone: A Preliminary Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial
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Lee Ji-Eun
Cho Sung-Joon
Lee Kang-Soo
Yook Keun-Young
Choe Ah-Young
Lee Sung-jae
Kim Bo-Rah
Kim Keung-Hyang
Choi Tae-Kyou
Lee Sang-Hyuk
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Abstract
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Objective : Some patients with schizophrenia may need mirtazapine augmentation to improve negative and cognitive symptoms. However there have been a few studies about the tolerability of mirtazapine augmentation to antipsychotics such as akathisia, extrapyramydal symptoms, weight gain, and body mass index (BMI).
Methods : This study was an eight-week double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of mirtazapine augmentation to risperidone. Twenty-one stabilized participants diagnosed with schizophrenia and undergoing treatment with risperidone were randomized to adjunctive treatment with mirtazapine (15 mg/day for the first two weeks, 30 mg/day for the next six weeks) or placebo. Eleven patients were assigned to the mirtazapine group, and nine patients were given placebo.
Results : There was no significant difference between the mirtazapine and placebo groups with respect to Barnes Akathisia rating Scale (BAS) and Sympsom-Angus Scale (SAS). However, the mirtazapine group exhibited a statistically significant increase in weight and BMI (p<0.05).
Conclusion : These results suggest that mirtazapine augmentation can be tolerable in schizophrenic patients treated with risperidone; however, we should pay attention to the weight gain with mirtazapine. Our results should be replicated in a large-scale lengthy trial.
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KEYWORD
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Schizophrenia, Mirtazapine, Risperidone, Augmentation, Tolerability
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