Clinical evaluation of trifluoperazine

Abstract

In this clinical study trifluoperazine was given to a group of 30 apathetic or hallucinated patients. Most of these chronic schizophrenic patients had taken other tranquillizers without noticeable results. For a period of two months they received between five and thirty mg. of trifluoperazine “per os”. Their mental condition was evaluated by two independent observers at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. In the group of the 17 hallucinated patients results were as follows: No improvement 30%, slight improvement 47%, moderate improvement 23%, marked improvement 0%. In the other group of 13 apathetic patients the results were about identical; no improvement 30%, slight improvement 40%, moderate improvement 23%, marked improvement 7%. The medication was stopped in one case because there was no improvement and the patient needed another form of therapy. Side effects were minimal except for akathisia and signs of parkinsonism which occurred in about 30% of the group. These effects disappeared with artane or with a decrease in the dosage. There was no marked change in the blood pressure, pulse or temperature. Those who were improved gained about 4% in weight while the ones who did not show any improvement lost a few pounds averaging about 6%. There was no somnolence. The routine blood and urine tests did not reveal any signs of toxicity. In concluding the authors say trifluoperazine has shown itself to be of value in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia.