Correlation between prolactin response and therapeutic effects of zotepine in schizophrenic patients

The correlation between prolactin response and therapeutic effects of zotepine, as assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, was studied in 24 schizophrenic patients (12 males, 12 females), after 4 weeks of treatment. The daily dose was 100 mg in the first week, and 200 mg for the next 3 weeks. There were significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations between changes in serum prolactin concentration and amelioration scores of positive or total symptoms in males only. Thus, prolactin response may reflect therapeutic effects of zotepine, at least in males.