Efficacy and Tolerability of Flunarizine for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: Comparison With Haloperidol

Flunarizine is a calcium channel blocker traditionally used for the treatment of vertigo and migraine. It also has the mechanism of action associated with antipsychotic activity (D2 receptor blockade), but has never been tested as such. The investigators hypothesis is that flunarizine can be an atypical antipsychotic.

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Key information

Conditions

Schizophrenia Mental Disorders Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Universidade Federal de São Paulo

São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil

About this study

The main advantage of flunarizine over other D2 receptor blockers is its long half-life, so that it may be administered weekly or may delay relapse if medication is interrupted.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

DSM-IV schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients between 18 and 55 years old with a PANSS score above 45.

Exclusion criteria

Clinical disease
Pregnancy
Drug dependence (except for nicotine) in the past month and history of being refractory to at least 2 antipsychotics taken appropriately.

Treatment and study plan

flunarizine

Drug

For 1 week, 40 mg/day. From week 2 to 3, 20 mg/day. Form week 4 onwards, dosage increment or reduction of 10mg/day was allowed according to efficacy and tolerability.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ambulatório de Bipolaridade

Other

Collaborators

Stanley Medical Research Institute

Registry information

Official study title

Is Flunarizine a Cheap, Well-Tolerated and Long-Acting Atypical Antipsychotic? A Randomized Double-Blind Flexible-Dose Clinical Trial Versus Haloperidol for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Important dates

Study start: 2004
Primary completion: 2007
Study completion: 2007
First posted: Aug 22, 2008
Registry last updated: Aug 22, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed