Clotiapine for acute psychotic illnesses.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute psychotic illnesses, especially when associated with agitated or violent behaviour, require urgent pharmacological tranquillisation or sedation. Clotiapine, a dibenzothiazepine neuroleptic, is being used for this purpose in several countries. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effects of clotiapine when compared to other 'standard' or 'non-standard' treatments for acute psychotic illnesses in controlling disturbed behaviour and reducing psychotic symptoms. SEARCH STRATEGY: We updated previous searches by searching the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Register (April 2004) SELECTION CRITERIA: The review included randomised clinical trials comparing clotiapine with any other treatment f..