[Double-blind comparison of 3 x 75 mg zotepine und 3 x 4 mg haloperidol in acute schizophrenic patients].
To assess the efficiency/risk ratio, fixed doses of zotepine and haloperidol were compared by means of a double-blind study in acute schizophrenics over a 4-week period. The assessment tools were BPRS, CGI, and the Simpson-Angus scale for the extrapyramidal disturbances, and a free report on side effects. No differences between the groups were found in respect of efficacy. According to the Simpson-Angus scale, the patients who had been treated with zotepine achieved better values, this being a general trend. There were significant differences according to the free report on side effects. Especially at onset of treatment, the patients treated with zotepine complained of tiredness. Partly marked extrapyramidal disturbances were seen in the patients who had been treated with haloperidol.
The evidence base around zotepine is insufficient to provide firm conclusions on its absolute or relative effects. This is despite it being in use in Austria, France, Germany, Japan and the UK.