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Once Weekly Pimozide versus Fluphenazine Decanoate as Maintenance Therapy in Chronic Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

R. Mccreadie ,
M. Mackie ,
D. Morrison  and
J. Kidd
R. Mccreadie
Affiliation:
Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, DG1 4TG
M. Mackie
Affiliation:
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries, DG1 4AP
D. Morrison
Affiliation:
Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, DG1 4TG
J. Kidd
Affiliation:
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow, G12 0XH (Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries)
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Summary

In a double blind trial, 28 male chronic schizophrenic in-patients received either pimozide, given once weekly, or fluphenazine decanoate, given mostly once fortnightly. There was no difference in relapse rates over nine months. However, three-quarters of the patients on pimozide who completed the trial developed at least mild tardive dyskinesia. All patients on pimozide lost weight, the average loss being 5.4 kg (12 lbs). Plasma pimozide levels suggested satisfactory drug compliance. Plasma prolactin levels confirmed that in the pimozide group there was fluctuating dopamine receptor antagonism, while in the fluphenazine group average plasma prolactin levels throughout most of the interval between injections were at the upper limit of normal.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 140 , Issue 3 , March 1982 , pp. 280 - 286
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1982 

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