Levosulpiride vs. pimozide in pazienti schizofrenici: efficacia ed eventi avversi

The present study aims to compare the therapeutic effect of low-dose levosulpiride with pimozide, in a representative sample of patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia and in particular it analyses side effects. The second aim of this study is the evaluation of the possible synergism between haloperidol and levosulpiride. The safety of the two drugs administered in association with haloperidol can therefore be compared. This study shows that levosulpiride is more effective in schizophrenic patients. The onset of levosulpiride activity is rapid, significant after 30 days of treatment, and it has effect on all clusters of SANS symptoms; the significant amelioration continues during the next 30 days of treatment. The present study is a preliminary report on the possible synergistic and complementary activity of levosulpiride and haloperidol in the treatment of schizophrenia with negative symptoms. Our findings, in agreement with other data, support the hypothesis that the therapeutic combination of haloperidol and levosulpiride is associated with a decreased incidence of side effects in comparison with haloperidol monotherapy. These preliminary results must be duplicated in a larger number of schizophrenic patients, both in association with haloperidol and in monotherapy, to confirm the positive synergistic activity of low-dose levosulpiride and haloperidol on negative symptoms of schizophrenia and to compare the therapeutic activity of monotherapy of levosulpiride with other antipsychotic drugs.