Reemergence of positive symptoms of schizophrenia during the course of treatment with risperidone.

Thirty patients suffering from schizophrenia (diagnosed as per DSM-IV criteria), for more than 2 years and having predominant negative symptoms were started on risperidone (2-10 mg/day) and were followed up over a period of 16 weeks. The improvement was assessed using PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale).During this 16 weeks follow up, it was interestingly noted that though there was a significant improvement in negative symptoms in all the patients, in 7 patients there was a reemergence of positive symptoms. Four patients had increase in rating on suspiciousness and hostility and two patients reported auditory hallucinations. One patient developed delusions and conceptual disorganization along with suspiciousness and hostility.