A Comparative Trial of Orphenadrine and Tofenacin in the Control of Depression and Extrapyramidal Side-Effects Associated with Fluphenazine Decanoate Therapy

Abstract

A trial involving patients receiving fluphenazine decanoate was designed to compare the effects of orphenadrine hydrochloride (Disipal) and its major metabolite, tofenacin hydrochloride (Elamol) on the Parkinsonian side-effects and depression occurring during fluphenazine decanoate therapy. The trial was a double-blind one, with crossover.

It was found that both drugs exerted an adequate control on the Parkinsonian side-effects, but there was no significant difference between their effects. Ophenadrine, however, was shown to be significantly superior (p > 0·05) in the control of the depressive side-effects.