An open study of remoxipride, a benzamide derivative, in schizophrenia.

Remoxipride is a novel substituted benzamide derivative with specific dopamine-(D2)-receptor blocking properties and selective action on brain mesolimbic functions. Ten inpatients with a DSM-III diagnosis of schizophrenia were treated with the drug in a 6-week open-label study. After 1 week placebo washout, the patients were given stepwise increased doses from 20 to 100 mg t.i.d. Most patients showed a clinically significant improvement; the mean scores in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale decreased from 25.8 at baseline to 11.3 at endpoint. Few adverse events were recorded and the rated extrapyramidal symptoms were lower at endpoint than at baseline. No abnormalities in clinical chemistry, haematology, cardiovascular assessments or EEG recordings were seen.