Melatonin Versus Placebo for Benzodiazepine Discontinuation in Patients With Schizophrenia

Summary

In this trial, researchers aim to investigate if prolonged-release melatonin can facilitate the withdrawal of chronic benzodiazepine administration in patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, researchers will investigate the association of benzodiazepine dose reduction with the following clinically important variables: sleep, psychophysiology, cognition, social function, and quality of life.

Timeline

Start

2011-10

Primary completion

2014-06

Completion

2014-06

Publications

• Background Volz A, Khorsand V, Gillies D, Leucht S. Benzodiazepines for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD006391. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006391.
• Background Monti JM, Monti D. Sleep disturbance in schizophrenia. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2005 Aug;17(4):247-53. doi: 10.1080/09540260500104516.
• Background Buscemi N, Vandermeer B, Hooton N, Pandya R, Tjosvold L, Hartling L, Vohra S, Klassen TP, Baker G. Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis. BMJ. 2006 Feb 18;332(7538):385-93. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38731.532766.F6. Epub 2006 Feb 10.
• Background Shamir E, Laudon M, Barak Y, Anis Y, Rotenberg V, Elizur A, Zisapel N. Melatonin improves sleep quality of patients with chronic schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000 May;61(5):373-7. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v61n0509.
• Background Suresh Kumar PN, Andrade C, Bhakta SG, Singh NM. Melatonin in schizophrenic outpatients with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007 Feb;68(2):237-41. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v68n0208.
• Background Garfinkel D, Zisapel N, Wainstein J, Laudon M. Facilitation of benzodiazepine discontinuation by melatonin: a new clinical approach. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Nov 8;159(20):2456-60. doi: 10.1001/archinte.159.20.2456.
• Baandrup L, Fasmer OB, Glenthoj BY, Jennum PJ. Circadian rest-activity rhythms during benzodiazepine tapering covered by melatonin versus placebo add-on: data derived from a randomized clinical trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2016 Oct 13;16(1):348. doi: 10.1186/s12888-016-1062-8.
• Baandrup L, Fagerlund B, Jennum P, Lublin H, Hansen JL, Winkel P, Gluud C, Oranje B, Glenthoj BY. Prolonged-release melatonin versus placebo for benzodiazepine discontinuation in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized clinical trial - the SMART trial protocol. BMC Psychiatry. 2011 Oct 5;11:160. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-11-160.

Drugs

Indications