Beneficial effects of add-on raloxifene in schizophrenia

The role of estrogens in schizophrenia has been proposed from the observation of schizophrenia occurring later and with symptom severity being lesser in women. Utility of estrogens in treatment of psychoses, though seen to be useful, comes with inherent risks of neoplasias, given its agonistic actio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of women's mental health 2012-04, Vol.15 (2), p.147-148
Main Authors: Raveendranathan, Dhanya, Shivakumar, Venkataram, Jayaram, Naveen, Rao, Naren P, Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Humans
Raloxifene Hydrochloride - therapeutic use
Schizophrenia - drug therapy
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators - therapeutic use
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Summary:The role of estrogens in schizophrenia has been proposed from the observation of schizophrenia occurring later and with symptom severity being lesser in women. Utility of estrogens in treatment of psychoses, though seen to be useful, comes with inherent risks of neoplasias, given its agonistic action on breast and endometrium. This risk can be overcome with use of selective estrogen receptor modulators, like raloxifene. Raloxifene has been used in schizophrenia, with improvement in symptoms and cognitive functions. We report the use of raloxifene as an adjunctive treatment, with risperidone, in treatment-resistant form of schizophrenia. The patient, a 29-year-old woman, over a 7-month followup period, showed significant improvement in sociooccupational functioning, with reduction in symptom severity.
ISSN:1435-1102
DOI:10.1007/s00737-012-0259-1