Abstract: AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of Escitalopram together with atypical antipsychotic in treating depression symptoms accompanied with acute schizophrenia.METHODS: 71 acute schizophrenia patients with depression were randomly assigned into two groups: the study group and the control group. Escitalopram, together with atypical antipsychotic, were given to patients in the study group; while only atypical antipsychotic were given to patients in the control group. The study period was 8 weeks. At the end of week 1, 2, 4, 8, BPRS, HAMD (as indicator of treatment effect) and TESS (as indicator of adverse effect) were assessed for all patients. The scores of BPRS and HAMD were analyzed using statistics package between the study group and the control group. The dosages of atypical antipsychotic, based on converted dosage of haloperidol, were compared between the two groups also.RESULTS: This study completed 68 observations. HAMD scores in the study group decreased starting from week 1, and were lower than those in the control group from week 2(the differences were significant), while HAMD scores in the control group did not decrease until week 4. At the end of week 2,4,8, BPRS scores in the study group decreased and were lower than those in the control group significantly . At the end of week 8, The recovery rate of study group (42.8%) was significantly higher than that of the control group(15.1%). 65.7% patients in the study group ameliorated while 51.5% patients did in the control group, the difference was not significantly. The average dosages (the peak dosage, the dosage during 8 weeks, and the dosage for week 8) in study group were significantly less than the control. The TESS scores in the study group were significantly less than the control at the week 2, 4, 8.CONCLUSION: Escitalopram together with atypical antipsychotic is able to cure the depression symptoms accompanied with schizophrenia rapidly and effectively. It is safe (with less adverse effect) also. Therefore, Escitalopram can be used as a cooperative medicine in the treatment of schizophrenia with depression symptoms.

Key words: Schizophrenia, Depression, Escitalopram, Treatment, Randomized controlled trial