ABSTRACT
Thirty chronic schizophrenic patients completed 12 week treatment with a single weekly dose of 20 mg penfluridol, a new long acting oral neuroleptic. The patients were evaluated by using modified rating scale. Significant reduction in scores was demonstrated in 15 out of 26 symptom variables. Few side effects were reported which were easily controlled by conventional antiparkinson agents. Laboratory investigations remained within normal limits.
Subject(s)
Administration, Oral , Adult , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Evaluation , Humans , Penfluridol/administration & dosage , Schizophrenia/drug therapyABSTRACT
A double blind comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of penfluridol and trifluoperazine in patients of chronic schizophrenia. Penfluridol was administered once weekly while trifluoperazine was administered twice daily by preparing identical capsules. The data revealed that both the compounds were similarly effective in maintaining control of symptoms of chronic schizophrenia. However, penfluridol has a definite advantage over trifluoperazine since it is administered once a week instead of twice a day.