Topiramate add-on in treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that topiramate is more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia when combined with ongoing antipsychotic medication.

Method: Twenty-six hospitalized treatment-resistant patients with chronic DSM-IV-diagnosed schizophrenia participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 300 mg/day of topiramate was gradually added to their ongoing treatment (clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, or quetiapine) over two 12-week crossover treatment periods. Data were collected from April 2003 to November 2003.