A double-blind comparative trial of the decanoates of clopenthixol and fluphenazine in the treatment of chronic schizophrenic out-patients

Abstract

Forty-five patients were entered into a 24-week double-blind trial of clopenthixol decanoate and fluphenazine decanoate. The 24-week double-blind period was preceded by a 12-week open period. Of the 45 patients entered, 6 failed to attend the second interview and 1 left the country before the final assessment. Doses administered were in the range 100 mg 4-weekly to 400 mg 2-weekly for clopenthixol decanoate and 12.5 mg 4-weekly to 37.5 mg 3-weekly for fluphenazine decanoate. Both depot neuroleptics appeared to have an equivalent duration of action, with 200 mg clopenthixol decanoate approximately equivalent to 25 mg fluphenazine decanoate. Patients' mental state was assessed on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression, Krawiecka, Goldberg and Vaughan Rating Scale, and unwanted effects were recorded on a checklist. No differences were detected between the two drugs with regard to therapeutic activity or side-effects. It is concluded that clopenthixol decanoate is as effective and as well-tolerated a depot neuroleptic as fluphenazine decanoate.