Abstract
FLUPENTIXOL* was administered to twenty-one patients with chronic schizophrenia having symptoms such as decreased expression, apathy, hypobulia and disturbance of rapport which had caused obstacle to their rehabilitation.
The drug was given orally at daily doses between 3 and 9 mg for 5 to 210 days, The cumulative dosage ranged from 15 to 1, 170 mg per patient. Anti-parkinsonian agents were given concomitantly with flupentixol in all cases, and other psychotropic drugs in most cases.
During the medication, the schizophrenic symptoms were well improved in 4 cases, moderately improved in 3, temporary improved in $, unchanged in 3 and worsend in 3 cases. Namely, 71% of patients improved with flupentixol.
The drug showed effect in 71% of patients with affectional disturbances such as decreased expression, apathy and disturbance of rapport, and it showed effect in 52% of patients with volitional disturbances such as abulia, bedfast life and decreased spontaneity. However, the effect was not definite in patients with abnormal experiences such as hallucination and delusion. It exerted little sedative effect to excitation of patients.
As to the side effects, sleep disturbance was observed in 33% of patients treated, , so-called restless akathisia of Divry in 33%, burst of psychic symptoms such as hallucination, delusion and manic state in 33%, and increased libido in 19%. Hypotension, Parkinson's syndrome, dullness, nausea and anorexia were also observed. All these side effects were disappeared or decreased by symptomatic treatment or discontinuation of the medication.
In conclusion, flupentixol is effective against the fundamental symptoms of schizophrenia such as decreased expression, apathy, hypobulia and disturbance of rapport. It is especially usefull for the treatment of schizophrenic patients with affectional disturbances.
*2-trifluoromethyl-9{3-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]propylidene}thioxanthene dihydro-chloride
