flupenthixol-decanoate and Substance-Withdrawal-Syndrome

A double-blind randomized investigation compared withdrawal (placebo) with continued use of long-acting neuroleptics (fluphenazine decanoate or flupenthixol decanoate) in 41 chronic schizophrenic outpatients. After 6 weeks there was a tendency toward higher depressive scores in the placebo group, a difference which became statistically significant (p less than .05) at week 24. These results do not support earlier observations that neuroleptic drugs cause depression. Further analyses of the data indicated that depressive symptomatology could be an early sign of relapse.

Topics: Adult; Depressive Disorder; Double-Blind Method; Female; Flupenthixol; Fluphenazine; Humans; Male; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Random Allocation; Recurrence; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Thioxanthenes; Tranquilizing Agents

Topics: Adult; Alcoholism; Bipolar Disorder; Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); Drug Administration Schedule; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Female; Flupenthixol; Humans; Neurologic Examination; Psychoses, Alcoholic; Recurrence; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Tranquilizing Agents

Thirty-two patients in remission were followed by regular ratings during a prospective neuroleptic withdrawal study. They were outpatients who fulfilled the DSM-III criteria of schizophrenia and who were motivated for drug withdrawal. The relapse rate was 81%. The results from the rating scales confirm the hypothesis that a symptom increase occurs before psychotic relapse. In the order statistical differences occurred, the factors predicting relapse were those concerned with positive psychopathology, motor dysfunction, impaired affects and sleep disturbances. The corresponding symptoms and signs were mainly concerned with thought disorders, paranoid ideation, overactivity, depression and insomnia middle, all of nonpsychotic degree of severity. If prodromes appear, the patient should resume his neuroleptic treatment, or other preventive measures should be taken. By such therapeutic interactions, psychotic relapse may be prevented, or can be dealt with in an outpatient setting.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Clopenthixol; Female; Flupenthixol; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychometrics; Recurrence; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Thioxanthenes