Schizophrenia SSRIs

Similar observations can be made with regard to the antidepressants introduced in the last 15 years or so. Both SSRIs and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) represent some quantitative progress from the earlier antidepressants in that they are less toxic, cause fewer medically significant adverse events and support treatment compliance. As is the case for antipsychotics and schizophrenia, the development of these newer antidepressants was not based on fundamentally new insights into the pathophysiology of affective disorders. 

Atypical antipsychotic drugs (AADs), in addition to their application as a first-line treatment in schizophrenia, are also effective mood stabilizers. AADs are successfully used in unipolar and bipolar mood disorders, either as solo treatment or as adjuncts to SSRIs (Blier et al., 2005 Kennedy et al., 2001 Kennedy and Lam 2003 Papakostas et al., 2007 Simon and Nemeroff 2005 Tremblay and Blier 2006 Uzun et al., 2005). It has been suggested that the beneficial effect of AADs as adjuncts to SSRIs is explained, at least in part, by their ability to... 

SSRIs are often prescribed with antipsychotic drugs, and some SSRIs inhibit CYP2D6, which can lead to increased blood concentrations of the antipsychotic drug. In 13 patients aged 26-56 years with schizophrenia, stabilized on risperidone 4-6 mg/day who took sertraline 50 mg/day for 4 weeks, plasma concentrations of risperidone and its major metabolite, 9-OH-risperidone, did not change... 

Clozapine and SSRIs are often used together, because depressive syndromes are common in patients with schizophrenia. Clozapine carries a relatively high risk of agranulocytosis, but this adverse effect is very rarely seen with SSRIs, although a case of possible fluoxetine-induced neutropenia has been described (SEDA-22, 15). Two cases in which the addition of paroxetine to clozapine was associated with neutropenia have been reported (11). The patients had been taking stable doses of clozapine for 6-12 months and had previously tolerated other SSRIs without adverse hematological consequences. In both cases the white cell count recovered when clozapine was withdrawn, although paroxetine was continued. 

Well accepted for use in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including difficult cases Documented utility in treatment-refractory cases, especially at higher doses Documented efficacy as augmenting agent to SSRIs (especially fluoxetine) in nonpsychotic treatment-resistant major depressive disorder Documented efficacy in bipolar depression, especially in combination with fluoxetine... 

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