Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of cessation of pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia. This data was collected from Jan. 1, 1978 to May 31, 1993. It covered 30 patients at the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was made using criteria of ICD-10. In the course diagnosis of this classification, 22 patients who were defined as “1” type belonged to F20. x2, . x4, . x5 and 8 patients of the “2” type had F20. x3 in ICD-10. The neuroleptic cessation method was divided into four periods of pharmacotherapy : regurate, maintenance, reductive and cessation in the follow up of course from one year to 14 years. Based on this study of relapses in the relation between neuroleptic reduction and withdrawal and the duration of medication, it was found that neuroleptics are necessary in only a few and can be stopped for the “2” type of schizophrenia. Neuroleptics were discontinued in 4.5 % of “1” type schizophrenic patients ; it was difficult to have neuroleptic withdrawal independent of initial attack or relapses. On the other hand, the neuroleptics could be stopped in 62.5 of the “2” type schizophrenic patients. The duration of final medication among the patients in whom neuroleptics could be withdrawn was three years and one week in“1”type schizophrenia and one year and four months on average in“2”type schizophrenia.
