Efficacy of Quetiapine in the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia and a Comorbid Substance Use Disorder
Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Psychotic Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Schizophrenia focused on measuring Quetiapine, Seroquel, Schizophrenia, Dual Diagnosis, Substance Abuse, Alcohol Abuse
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-65 Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder Meets Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID) criteria for a substance use disorder (alcohol use disorder [AUD]; abuse or dependence) Active substance use on at least 8 days during the 4 weeks prior to randomization. Current treatment with antipsychotic medication. Able to provide informed consent, or in the case of patients with legal court appointed guardians willing to give assent, with the consent of the guardian. Not actively suicidal. Exclusion Criteria: Current treatment with, decanoate antipsychotic, clozapine, or doses of quetiapine not approved by the team of investigators. Individuals treated with depot antipsychotic must wait until the end of their injection cycle before starting on study medication. Currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or unwilling to use an acceptable form of birth control. Currently residing in a residential program designed to treat substance use disorders. Treatment at baseline with a psychotropic agent proposed to curtail substance use. Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, are judged unsuitable to participate in the study. Unable to take part in the assessments in a meaningful way Hypersensitivity/intolerance to quetiapine Serious, unstable medical condition Participation in clinical trial of an investigational drug within 30 days of baseline visit, or concurrent participation in a treatment study of a psychosocial intervention
Sites / Locations
- Medical College of Georgia
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
- West Central Behavioral Health
- Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Quetiapine
After patients provided informed consent and completed baseline measures, quetiapine was initiated in all participants and titrated up to a target dose of 600 mg (in divided daily doses) over two weeks as the previous antipsychotic medication was slowly tapered and discontinued. Participants met with study physicians weekly to assess tolerability and response to the medication. Concomitant medications were held constant. After the initial titration period, quetiapine was dosed in a flexible manner up to 800 mg /day, with dose adjustments based on symptomatic response and side effects.