Psychiatria pre prax 4/2005
ANTIEPILEPTIC MEDICATIONS IN THE THERAPY OF PSYCHOSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC TYPE
A significant minority of schizophrenic patients fail to respond to standard antipsychotic therapy. An alternative way of enhancing efficacy may be the use of augemntation strategies with other classes of drugs. Anticonvulsants are increasingly being used as adjunctive treatment in both acute and long-term management strategies for psychosis. Valproate is the most commonly prescribed adjunct to manage: mood disturbances as well as impulsivity, hostility and aggression in psychosis. Some reports note a beneficial role of anticonvulsants in the management of treatmentrefractory psychosis.
Keywords: treatment-refractory schizophrenia, anticonvulsants, carbamazepine, valproate.
