Depot pipotiazine 1970-1982: a review

Abstract

In the past 14 years pipotiazine palmitate, the second oldest depot neuroleptic, has proven to be effective and safe in reducing and preventing resurgence of symptoms of acute and chronic psychoses, chiefly in schizophrenia. It is particularly valuable in the management of erratic ingestors and unreliable absorbers of oral neuroleptics. Clinical experience substantiates that pipotiazine palmitate therapy is best initiated at low doses (25 mg), and that the most effective maintenance dosage is 25 to 200 mg once a month. Pipotiazine palmitate has a low propensity to evoke extrapyramidal reactions; in fact, it causes the lowest incidence of EPS of all depot neuroleptics. Patients receiving pipotiazine palmitate seldom require concomitant antiparkinsonian medication. This review highlights other assets and liabilities of depot pipotiazine therapy.