Effects of paroxetine on negative symptoms and plasma concentration of clozapine in schizophrenic patients

Objective To observe the efficiency and side effects of paroxetine in the treatment of negative symptoms and the effect of paroxetine on the plasma concentration of clozapine in patients with schizophrenia.Methods A total of 40 inpatients with schizophrenia that had been treated with clozapine were assigned to receiving paroxetine 20mg/d for 12 weeks.The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) and Treatment Emergent Symptoms Scale(TESS) were used to measure therapeutic efficacy and side effects.The plasma concentration of clozapine was monitored before treatment,4th,8th and 12th weekend after the treatment.Results No significant differences were found in PANSS scores and TESS scores between baseline,4th,8th and 12th weekend after the treatment.There was no significant difference of the plasma concentration of clozapine in male patients between baseline,4th 8th and 12th weekend after combined with paroxetine treatment,but significant differences were found in female patients between baseline and 4th,8th weekend after treatment.Conclusion Paroxetine couldn't improve negative symptoms,and has temporal effect on the plasma concentration of clozapine in female patients,no effects on the side effects.