Neuroleptic augmentation with alprazolam: clinical effects and pharmacokinetic correlates.

Alprazolam added to stable doses of neuroleptics in nine schizophrenic patients was associated with a 20%-30% mean reduction in positive and negative symptoms, although clinical response was variable and in some patients particularly brisk. The authors examined the possibilities of a pharmacokinetic effect of alprazolam on neuroleptic plasma levels and of a clinical effect of alprazolam. The modest increase in mean neuroleptic plasma levels did not correlate with clinical change, but those patients with the highest alprazolam plasma levels tended to show more robust clinical responses.