RETRACTED: Pentoxifylline as an adjunctive in treatment of negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness and safety of pentoxifylline as an adjuvant to risperidone in mitigating the negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods In this randomized, placebo‐controlled study, eighty outpatients with chronic schizophrenia were given risperidone for 8 weeks along with either pentoxifylline or a placebo. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was used to assess patients at the start of the trial, as well as at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Pre‐ and posttreatment serum levels of cAMP, TNF‐α‐, and IL‐6 were measured. Results The pentoxifylline group revealed a significant effect for time‐treatment interaction on PANSS‐negative subscale scores (p < 0.001), PANSS general psychopathology subscale scores (p < 0.001), and PANSS total scores (p < 0.001), but not on PANSS‐positive subscale scores (p = 0.169). Additionally, when compared to the placebo group, the pentoxifylline group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cAMP serum level and a statistically significant decrease in TNF‐α and IL‐6 serum levels. Conclusion Pentoxifylline adjunctive therapy with risperidone for 8 weeks was found to be promising in mitigating the negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Trial registration number: NCT04094207.