Blin 1996.

Methods	Allocation: randomised (no further description). Blindness: double (medication in identical capsules). Duration: 4 weeks. Consent: written. Setting: multicentre, hospital.
Participants	Diagnosis: schizophenia (DSM‐III‐R). N=62. Sex: 38M, 24F. Age: 16‐63 years, mean ˜ 34 years. History: hospitalised, currently experiencing acute exacerbation. Exclusions: schizo‐affective or severe somatic disorders, pregnant or nursing women, substance abuse, abnormal lab results, long‐acting antipsychotic within 4 weeks of trial or short‐acting antipsychotics within 48 hours of trial.
Interventions	1. Risperidone: 4‐12mg/day, initial dose of 4mg/day adjusted as required every 2 days. N=21. 2. Haloperidol: 4‐12mg/day, initial dose of 4 mg/day adjusted as required every 2 days. N=20. 3. Methotrimeprazine: 50‐150mg/day, initial dose of 50mg/day adjusted as required every 2 days. N=21*. loprazolam, diazepam, heptaminol hydrochloride as required.
Outcomes	Clinical improvement: 20% reduction in PANSS score. Global effect: CGI improved/not improved, CGI score. Mental state: PANSS, PANSS‐derived BPRS, PAS. Behaviour: use of sedative medication. Side effects: Asberg Scale, ESRS. Leaving the study early. Unable to use ‐ Physiological monitoring: ECG, lab tests (insufficient data).
Notes	* Methotimeprazine data not used in this review.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Unclear risk	B ‐ Unclear