Long-term depot maintenance of chronic schizophrenic out-patients: the seven year follow-up of the Medical Research Council fluphenazine/placebo trial. II. The incidence of compliance problems, side-effects, neurotic symptoms and depression

Br J Psychiatry. 1985 May:146:469-74. doi: 10.1192/bjp.146.5.469.

Abstract

Seven years after the completion of the original trial, over 73% of patients were maintained on depot neuroleptics, and 70% had received such medication for over seven years. About 40% had presented with a problem of compliance at some time, and there was a significant correlation between poor compliance and in-patient admissions and schizophrenic relapses. The prevalence of parkinsonian side-effects, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia was low. Non-psychotic symptoms were common, even in the absence of acute psychosis. Depression was found in a subgroup of patients; it was frequently reported as an indication for admission during follow-up period, and seemed to be part of the schizophrenic illness rather than a result of antipsychotic drug treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Depressive Disorder / complications*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Fluphenazine / adverse effects
  • Fluphenazine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Fluphenazine / therapeutic use
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*

Substances

  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • fluphenazine depot
  • Fluphenazine