Ursodeoxycholic acid augmentation in treatment-refractory schizophrenia: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2020 Sep 1;14(1):137. doi: 10.1186/s13256-020-02484-9.

Abstract

Background: Treatment-resistance is recognized as a significant dilemma in schizophrenia, which has been reported to involve approximately one-third of patients with schizophrenia.

Case presentation: This case report described a 12-week treatment course for a 39-year-old Persian man with treatment-refractory schizophrenia, who showed a significant improvement in terms of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms after taking ursodeoxycholic acid 300 mg capsules twice a day. Also, ursodeoxycholic acid was well tolerated, and he did not exhibit any side effects during treatment, based on interview and physical examination.

Conclusion: Ursodeoxycholic acid augmentation seems to be an effective treatment strategy for patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia. However, further investigations in this field need to be carried out through randomized controlled trials.

Keywords: Report; Schizophrenia; Therapeutics; Ursodeoxycholic acid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schizophrenia* / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid