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Beneficial effects of add-on raloxifene in schizophrenia

A case report

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Abstract

The role of estrogens in schizophrenia has been proposed from the observation of schizophrenia occurring later and with symptom severity being lesser in women. Utility of estrogens in treatment of psychoses, though seen to be useful, comes with inherent risks of neoplasias, given its agonistic action on breast and endometrium. This risk can be overcome with use of selective estrogen receptor modulators, like raloxifene. Raloxifene has been used in schizophrenia, with improvement in symptoms and cognitive functions. We report the use of raloxifene as an adjunctive treatment, with risperidone, in treatment-resistant form of schizophrenia. The patient, a 29-year-old woman, over a 7-month follow-up period, showed significant improvement in socio-occupational functioning, with reduction in symptom severity.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Metabolic Clinic in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India

    Eesha Sharma, Dhanya Raveendranathan, Venkataram Shivakumar, Naveen Jayaram, Naren P. Rao & Ganesan Venkatasubramanian

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  1. Eesha Sharma
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  2. Dhanya Raveendranathan
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  3. Venkataram Shivakumar
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  4. Naveen Jayaram
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  5. Naren P. Rao
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  6. Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ganesan Venkatasubramanian.

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Sharma, E., Raveendranathan, D., Shivakumar, V. et al. Beneficial effects of add-on raloxifene in schizophrenia. Arch Womens Ment Health 15, 147–148 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0259-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0259-1

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