ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin in the treatment of amisulpride-induced hyperprolactinemia.MethodsA total of 86 schizophrenic patients who developed hyperprolactinemia after taking amisulpride were screened and randomly assigned to the metformin group (42 patients) and placebo group (44 patients) and followed up for eight weeks. The patients’ serum prolactin levels, blood glucose and lipids were measured at the baseline and the end of the intervention. The treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) was also assessed.ResultsAfter eight weeks of intervention, serum prolactin levels in the metformin group decreased from (1737.360 ± 626.918) mIU/L at baseline to (1618.625 ± 640.865) mIU/L, whereas serum prolactin levels in the placebo group increased from (2676.470 ± 1269.234) mIU/L at baseline to (2860.933 ± 1317.376) mIU/L. There was a significant difference in prolactin changes (Fcovariance = 9.982, P = 0.002) between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions (P > 0.05) between the two groups.ConclusionMetformin is able to improve amisulpride-induced hyperprolactinemia with its safety.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of transdermal drug delivery therapy for schizophrenia with anxiety symptoms.MethodsA total of 80 schizophrenic patients (34 males and 56 females) with comorbid anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 40) and the control group (n = 40) with 6 weeks of follow-up. The patients in the treatment group received the standard antipsychotic drug treatment along with transdermal drug delivery therapy. The evaluation of the patients included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks after transdermal drug delivery therapy. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment.ResultsAfter 3 and 6 weeks of treatment, the HAMA scale scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the HAMD-17 scale scores, PANSS total scores, and subscale scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant differences in adverse effects were observed between the two groups during the intervention period (p > 0.05). After 6 weeks of penetration therapy, there was a low negative correlation between total disease duration and the change in HAMA scale score (pretreatment-posttreatment) in the treatment group.ConclusionCombined traditional Chinese medicine directed penetration therapy can improve the anxiety symptoms of patients with schizophrenia and has a safe profile.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine targeted transdermal therapy for schizophrenia with anxiety disorders. Methods Eighty schizophrenic patients accompanying anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n=40) and the control group (n=40) with 6 weeks of follow-up. Patients in the treatment group were treated with the original antipsychotic drug program and were additionally treated with Chinese medicine targeted penetration therapy. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) were evaluated before enrollment, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks after treatment. Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Results At the end of 3 and 6 weeks, the scores of HAMA scale in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Neither HAMD-17 scale scores, PANSS total scores nor subscale scores were significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), and no significant differences were detected in adverse effects that occurred during the intervention between the two groups (P>0.05). After 6 weeks of penetration therapy, there was a low negative correlation between total disease duration and the change in HAMA scale score (pre-treatment-post-treatment) in the treatment group. Conclusion Combined traditional Chinese medicine directed penetration therapy can improve the anxiety symptoms of schizophrenia patients with a safe profile.