A double-blind comparison of loxitane--loxapine succinate and trifluoperazine hydrochloride in chronic schizophrenic patients

Abstract

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of loxapine succinate (LOX) and trifluoperazine hydrochloride were compared by means of a controlled, double-blind study involving 49 chronic schizophrenic inpatients. The data indicated that LOX in dosages ranging from 40 - 65 mg/day, (usually administered on a b.i.d. schedule) had demonstrable anti-psychotic activity in 14 of 25 chronic schizophrenic patients (56%), while TFP treatment in appropriate dosage showed a similar activity in 9 of 23 patients (39%). Both LOX and TFP displayed essentially the same profile and incidence of side effects. Clinical laboratory abnormalities were minor. On the basis of this study, and in comparison with trifluoperazine, it appears that loxapine is an efficacious and essentially safe medication, suitable for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia.