Flupenthixol in chronic schizophrenic inpatients: a controlled comparison with haloperidol

Abstract

Two neuroleptics having different effects at dopamine receptors were administered to chronic schizophrenic inpatients to compare their therapeutic efficacy and ability to produce side effects. Haloperidol appeared to produce lower levels of psychopathology than flupenthixol but similar levels of side effects. No evidence was found that flupenthixol is specifically useful in "activating" chronic patients or in alleviating affective symptoms. Although these are preliminary results, they support the view that D2 receptors may mediate the antipsychotic effects of neuroleptic drugs.