Abstract

Introduction Clozapine is indicated for thetreatment of refractory schizophrenia. Objectives Aim of the study was to investigate improvement among schizophrenic male patients after augmentation on clozapine with valproate. Method Study group consisted of 24 male, aged 19 to 46 years inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria) and who had received a single antipsychotic clozapine for at least 4 weeks and with total score of at least 45 on the BPRS. Because no responsive or only partially responsive to clozapine, patients were treated with comminuted therapy clozapine and valproate. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), among others: SANS, ASEX, subscale on sexual function of the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale, were administered in at two-week intervals for 8 weeks. Study exclusion criteria: somatic conditions, Depressive/ subdepressive symptoms, substance abuse; patients did not take medications to improve erectile dysfunction or other medications unless prescribed antipsychotic. Results Mean BPRS total and positive symptom subscale scores decreased significantly from baseline to week 4 and week 8 in BPRS total score on to baseline, as were reductions in SANS scores. After 2 weeks on comminuted therapy clozapine and valprote, ASEX scores was decreased. (p = 0, 01). In patients under clozapine therapy, orgasmic, ejaculatory and erectile dysfunction is more common compared with comminuted therapy clozapine and valproate after 4 weeks (p Conclusions In patients with a suboptimal response to clozapine, the addition of valproate improved overall and positive symptoms of schizophrenia and may provide additional benefit in sexual dysfunction.

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