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Intermittent Pimozide versus Fluphenazine Decanoate as Maintenance Therapy in Chronic Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

R. G. McCreadie ,
J. M. Dingwall ,
D. H. Wiles  and
J. J. P. Heykants
R. G. McCreadie
Affiliation:
Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, DG1 4TG, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow
J. M. Dingwall
Affiliation:
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow, G12 0XH
D. H. Wiles
Affiliation:
Littlemore Hospital Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, OX4 4XN
J. J. P. Heykants
Affiliation:
Department of Drug Metabolism, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Beerse, Belgium
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Summary

In a double-blind trial, 34 male chronic schizophrenic day-patients or in-patients in a hostel ward continued on fluphenazine decanoate given mostly once fortnightly or were switched to pimozide, given on four days each week. Over nine months relapse rates were similar for both groups, and while fewer patients on pimozide were prescribed antiparkinsonian drugs one quarter developed buccolingual-masticatory dyskinesia. Plasma pimozide levels suggested satisfactory drug compliance. Average plasma prolactin levels were within the normal range for untreated men in one quarter of non-relapsing patients on pimozide and three quarters on fluphenazine.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 137 , Issue 6 , December 1980 , pp. 510 - 517
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1980 

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