Propranolol in schizophrenia. II. Clinical and biochemical aspects of combining propranolol with chlorpromazine

Br J Psychiatry. 1981 Aug:139:112-7. doi: 10.1192/bjp.139.2.112.

Abstract

Ten hospitalized chronic schizophrenic patients were given chlorpromazine alone and chlorpromazine plus high dose propranolol in two 7-week treatment periods according to a randomized crossover design. In the six patients who completed the whole study, plasma levels of chlorpromazine and chlorpromazine sulphoxide, total serum levels of neuroleptic and serum levels of prolactin were consistently and significantly elevated during treatment with chlorpromazine plus propranolol relative to levels during treatment with chlorpromazine alone. These effects are sufficient to explain previously reported clinical improvement in schizophrenic patients given propranolol in addition to neuroleptics.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chlorpromazine / blood
  • Chlorpromazine / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Propranolol / blood
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use*
  • Random Allocation
  • Schizophrenia / blood
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Prolactin
  • Propranolol
  • Chlorpromazine