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Anti-inflammatory

How are how are anti-inflammatory medications used for schizophrenia? 

Growing evidence suggests that inflammatory processes may contribute to the development of schizophrenia. This suggests a potential role for anti-inflammatory medications, such as non-steroidal agents (e.g., aspirin) which may be potentially useful therapeutic strategies, particularly in combination with ongoing antipsychotic medication.

What is the evidence for anti-inflammatory medications?

Compared to placebo, moderate to high quality evidence finds a large benefit of adjunctive N-acetylcysteine, and medium-sized benefits of adjunctive oestrogen and minocycline for improving overall symptoms. There was also a small benefit of adjunctive aspirin for symptom improvement.

Moderate quality evidence finds medium to large benefits of adjunctive melatonin, withania somnifera extract, pioglitazone, piracetam, and pregnenolone for symptom improvement. There was also a medium-sized benefit of adjunctive celecoxib for improving symptoms in first-episode patients but not in chronic patients.

There was improved executive functioning with adjunctive minocycline, and improved working memory with adjunctive N-acetylcysteine.

There were no significant benefits over placebo of adjunctive fatty acids, statins, davunetide, bexarotene, dextromethorphan, or varenicline.

September 2020

Last updated at: 4:05 am, 23rd September 2020
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Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.