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The atypical antipsychotic zotepine was studied in an open, multicentre uncontrolled, post-marketing surveillance study in 108 schizophrenic patients hospitalized in 12 trial centres in Austria. Within the dosage range of 50-450 mg (mean at the end of the study, 207 +/- 125 mg/day), a significant reduction of positive as well as negative symptoms was noted. There was no increase in extrapyramidal side-effects during the study and a significant decrease in akathisia scores. The medication was well tolerated during the 42-day observation period. Zotepine improved both positive and negative symptoms and was not accompanied by extrapyramidal side-effects, justifying its classification as an atypical antipsychotic.

Zotepine, a neuroleptic agent with additional 5-HT2 blocking properties, was compared with haloperidol in the treatment of schizophrenic patients with predominantly negative symptoms using a double-blind design. During the investigation period zotepine treated patients showed significant improvements in all rating instruments whereas haloperidol treated patients did not. Patients in the zotepine group developed fewer clinical side effects. The results of the presented study confirm the positive impressions gained in earlier open trials with zotepine.

Zotepine, a neuroleptic exercising a 5-HT2-antagonistic effect, was employed in a double-blind study in the treatment of schizophrenic patients with predominantly negative symptoms and was compared to haloperidol. In contrast to the patients treated with haloperidol, significant improvements were seen in the zotepine group during the observation period, according to all assessment scales that were employed. The patients of the zotepine group also developed fewer clinical side effects. The results of the study confirm previous positive impressions gained in earlier open studies with zotepine.

Zotepine is new tricyclic neuroleptic with a pharmacological profile comparable to substances such as thioridazine and chlorpromazine. Its chemical structure is related to clozapine and fluperlapine. Ten patients (8 men and 2 women) fulfilling DSM III criteria for residual schizophrenia participated in an open clinical trial that lasted 8 months. The effects of low-dose maintenance therapy with Zotepine were evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Eight patients dropped out of the study within the first 6 months, 5 because of acute psychotic relapse, 3 due to compliance problems. Psychotic relapse appeared to be indicated by increasing BPRS and SANS scores recorded 1 month before relapse. Apart from minor sedation, no side effects, especially none of the extrapyramidal motor type, were observed. Even though Zotepine does not seem to possess sufficient prophylactic properties against psychotic relapse, preliminary results suggest that it might play an important role as a supplement to conventional neuroleptics in the near future.

Twelve male patients suffering from acute paranoid schizophrenia, randomly receiving fluperlapine - a new dibenzodiazepine very similar to clozapine - or haloperidol were included in a double blind study. Plasma levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, prolactin, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, ACTH and cortisol were determined. There was no evidence, that fluperlapine has any relevant influence on those hypothalamic-pituitary axis mediated hormones with the possible exception of plasma lipids. These findings, together with the clinical experiences, suggest that fluperlapine might have a different mode of action than conventional neuroleptics.

Zotepine is a new tricyclic neuroleptic with a pharmacological profile comparable to substances such as thioridazine and chlorpromazine. Ten patients fulfilling DSM-III criteria of paranoid schizophrenia were included in an open pilot study at the Department of Psychiatry in Innsbruck. Neuroleptic efficacy, optimal dose, side effects, and the influence on serum prolactin levels were evaluated. Definite onset of antipsychotic action could be demonstrated between days 5-10, and approximately 400 mg/die seems to be an optimal dose. Four patients showed side effects of a minor degree that had no influence on the course of therapy. These results suggest that Zotepine is a rapidly acting neuroleptic with a high benefit-risk ratio. Further double-blind studies will be needed to reinforce these preliminary data.

Zotepine is a new tricyclic neuroleptic with a pharmacological profile comparable to substances like Thioridazine and Chlorpromazine. In an open pilot study, 10 patients suffering from negative symptoms in the course of chronic schizophrenia were treated with Zotepine. The efficacy of Zotepine in this indication was evaluated by means of the BPRS and the Andreasen Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Significant improvement could be demonstrated after 3 weeks of treatment. No side effects were observed within the dosage range of 50 to 200 mg per die. These results suggest that Zotepine is useful in the treatment of residual schizophrenia.