Flupentixol Decanoate-related Tardive Dyskinesia

Abstract

Objective: Flupentixol decanoate was commonly used in the treatment of acute or chronic psychiatric patients who are unable to tolerate oral antipsychotics. This study investigated the clinical manifestations of tardive dyskinesia(TD) in patients treated with flupenthixol. Methods: Tardive dyskinesia was observed in 261 psychiatric patients treated with flupentixol decanoate injection based on the Smith-TRIMS TD scale, an instrument which assesses the occurrence and severity of abnormal movements in the orofacial area, upper and lower extremities. Data on clinical and drug history, the history of electroconvulsive therapy and anticholinergic management, and the ages of patients were analyzed for their association with the prevalence and severity of TD. Results: TD was found in 54(20.7%) of the patients, including 15(28.3%) males and 39(18.7%) females. The dosage and duration of neuroleptic exposure were significantly associated with TD severity. However, no relationship between anticholinergic management and TD severity was found in 33 patients. A positive correlation between the severity of TD and the age of the patients was also noted. The prevalence of TD in males was greater than that in females, but this difference was not significant. The 17 patients who had undergone electroconvulsive therapy had higher severity of TD. During three months of follow-up observation, TD symptoms disappeared spontaneously in 5 patients (9.3%). Conclusion: Flupentixol decanoate of injection was significantly associated with the occurrence and severity of TD.