Off-label Use of Memantine as Adjunctive Treatment in Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Case Series Study

Introduction: Memantine, an uncompetitive N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) open-channel blocker holds great promise for its potential clinical effectiveness as add-on therapy to on-going treatment with antipsychotics. Methods: We report here the results of a chart review-based retrospective case series study that examined the effectiveness of off-label use of memantine in patients with schizophrenia when used as adjunctive therapy to standard neuroleptic therapy. Results: 17 of the 26 patients, whose case files were reviewed using a study-specific proforma showed clinical improvement in positive and/or negative psychopathology as well as in cognitive and/or functional domains. The doses of ongoing antipsychotic medications could be reduced in a sizeable number of responders. None of the subjects reported serious adverse events. Discussion: Memantine holds great promise as adjunctive therapy for treatment of schizophrenia. Randomized controlled trials, wherein memantine is administered at adequate doses for an adequate period of time to ongoing antipsychotic treatment are required to confirm its efficacy in alleviating symptoms of schizophrenia.