Сariprazine in the treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in a hospital setting

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of using cariprazine for the treatment of productive and negative symptoms in schizophrenic spectrum disorders in a hospital setting. Materials and methods : A group of 35 patients with leading productive and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorders treated in a psychiatric hospital constituted the material of the study. The condition of patients was objectified according to the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI-S and CGI-I) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) — at the beginning of the study and in dynamics on the 30th and 60th day of treatment. The mean PANSS score at the beginning of the study was 94.45±14.49 points. After the drug administration, the patients were followed up for up to 60 days. Results: Cariprazine was administered both as first-line treatment and after prior therapy. The dose range was from 1.5 mg to 6 mg daily. In 3 patients (8.57%), cariprazine therapy was discontinued due to the development of adverse events or worsening of the condition. The remaining 32 patients (91.43%) showed positive dynamics. Conclusions: The study showed high efficacy of cariprazine when administered for the treatment of productive and negative symptoms in schizophrenic spectrum disorders in a hospital setting. The drug was well tolerated in the majority of patients.