Efficacy and Tolerability of Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist Adjunction of Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia

anon79999497 · October 17, 2014, 11:52pm

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and tolerability of histamine-2 receptor antagonist adjunction of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

T Kishi and N Iwata, Pharmacopsychiatry, Jan 2015

No comprehensive meta-analysis has been performed concerning the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive therapy with histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2R-ANTs) in schizophrenia patients who were treated with antipsychotics.Risk ratios, standardized mean differences (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.We included 8 double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) (n=418) that met the inclusion criteria (famotidine: N=3, n=74; nizatidine: N=4, n=292; ranitidine: N=1, n=52). Pooled H2R-ANTs were not different from placebo with regard to reduction in overall symptoms and body weight. However, pooled H2R-ANTs resulted in lower body mass index (BMI) than placebo (SMD=-0.68). Moreover, nizatidine was associated with an increase in plasma leptin levels (SMD=-1.14). There were no significant differences in the discontinuation rates due to all-cause, side effects, and inefficacy between pooled H2R-ANTs and placebo. However, nizatidine produced more depression and dry mouth than placebo.H2R-ANT adjunctive therapy did not improve overall symptoms. To clarify the opposite results between body weight and BMI, future research should investigate long-term efficacy and generate more safety data by using larger samples.

Skims · October 18, 2014, 3:37pm

Here’s the article itself. http://www.ecnp.eu/~/media/Files/ecnp/Awards/travel/travel2013/Meskanen.pdf
So Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists are drugs used for acid reflux because the histamine stops the acid buildup. It says “In summary, our study shows that the histamine system in the brain offers a potential drug development target in psychosis.”

anon79999497 · October 18, 2014, 3:58pm

Interesting- so that individual trial gave positive results and yet pooled results from 8 trials suggested it didn’t improve overall symptoms.
So the current weight of evidence suggests it doesn’t really help.

Skims · October 18, 2014, 4:00pm

Yeah. They say there is a link between histamine and neurotransmitters so it needs further research. At least they are thinking outside the box, I mean not more dopamine research.