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Do schizophrenics well adapted in the community need neuroleptics?: A DEPOT NEUROLEPTIC WITHDRAWAL STUDY
Author(s) -
Dencker S. J.,
Lepp M.,
Malm U.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1980.tb07084.x
Subject(s) - depot , antipsychotic , cohort , medicine , population , psychiatry , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , antipsychotic drug , pediatrics , psychology , environmental health , archaeology , history
Two depot neuroleptics (flupenthixol palmitate and clopemthixol de canoate) used for at least 15 months were withdrawn in 32 schizephrenic outpatients belonging to the most symptom‐free and social cohort of a total patient population. They all had only slight schizophrenic symptoms, were well adapted in the community, and had been free from relapse for at least 2 years before the study. They were assessed by means of rating scales every month during the first six months and then after 9 and 12 months. After the one‐year trial 26 patients had relapsed. Moreover, after the control period further 4 out of 6 patients relapsed during the following drug‐free year. These results indicate the necessity of a long follow‐up period after withdrawal of depot neuroleptics. Moreover, the results suggest that periodical drug‐free periods of about 3 months are appropriate in symptom‐poor patients during long‐term treatment with long‐acting antipsychotic drugs.