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Schizophrenics Fully Remitted on Neuroleptics for 3–5 years—To Stop or Continue Drugs?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Hung K. Cheung
Hung K. Cheung*
Affiliation:
South Kwai Chung Psychiatric Centre, South Kwai Chung Polyclinic, Kwai Shing, New Territories, Hong Kong
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Summary

A double-blind comparison between benzodiazepines and neuroleptics was carried out for 1 ½ years on 30 schizophrenics who had hitherto continuously received neuroleptics and remained apparently in full remission for at least 3–5 years. The benzodiazepine-group had a significantly higher relapse rate than the neuroleptic-group, meaning that we cannot stop neuroleptics for these patients yet. Three possible reasons for this are (1) demand of the natural course of the illness, (2) the fact that the patients agreed to stay in therapy for so long may signify a need for therapy, (3) some of the relapses on stopping neuroleptics may be ‘withdrawal psychosis' after prolonged neuroleptic therapy. If withdrawal of neuroleptics is really needed, however, it may be considered for a subgroup of female patients whose illness started after the age of 40.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 138 , Issue 6 , June 1981 , pp. 490 - 494
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

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