Adjunctive risperidone in the treatment of chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of risperidone was evaluated in veteran patients with chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who were referred to a residential treatment program. METHODS: Seventy-three subjects volunteered to participate in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which comprised of a 5 week residential program followed by a 3-month outpatient follow-up. Risperidone was added to a stable psychotropic medication regimen in 92% of subjects. Primary outcome measures were the Clinician-Administered PTSD scale (CAPS-total) and its three subscales; B (Re-experiencing), C (Avoidance) and D (Arousal). Secondary outcome measures were the Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) and Depression (HAM-D) scales, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Positive Subscale (PANSS-P). RESULTS: Sixty-five subjects were randomized and 48 completed the 4-month study. Significantly greater improvement in symptoms was observed in subjects receiving risperidone compared to placebo on the CAPS-total and CAPS-D subscale scores and also on HAM-A and PANSS-P. Numerically greater improvements in all the remaining measures were noted with risperidone, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Risperidone was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adjunctive risperidone improved a broad range of psychiatric symptoms in patients with chronic combat-related PTSD. The data support the concept that atypical antipsychotic medications may have a wider therapeutic spectrum that goes beyond the treatment of psychosis.[1]References
- Adjunctive risperidone in the treatment of chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Bartzokis, G., Lu, P.H., Turner, J., Mintz, J., Saunders, C.S. Biol. Psychiatry (2005) [Pubmed]
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