DEPRESSIVE AND EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYMPTOMS AND CLINICAL EFFECTS - TRIAL OF FLUPHENAZINE VERSUS FLUPENTHIXOL IN MAINTENANCE OF SCHIZOPHRENIC OUT-PATIENTS

Fifty-seven patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were started on either fluphenazine decanoate or fluphenthixol decanoate injections in a double-blind trial just prior to discharge into the community. During the six month follow-up 30% dropped out of the treatment. Of those observed for 6 months, 7% relapsed, 54% experienced depressive symptoms and 88% extrapyramidal side-effects. Analysis of both clinical data and the ratings failed to discriminate between the two drugs.