Zotepine in the treatment of negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.

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.