Abstract
A comparative study of fluphénazine enanthate, a long-acting neuroleptic, fluphénazine bichlorhydrate and placebo was made on 28 chronic schizophrenics. The double-blind technique was possible by giving to the patients one of the three following treatments: the long-acting neuroleptic by injection every fortnight and placebo tablets daily, the standard neuroleptic (tablets) daily and regular injection of sesame oil or the two inactive substances in a similar way. Dosage of fluphénazine enanthate was 25, 50 or 75 mg every fortnight and of bichlorhydrate 10, 20 or 30 mg. daily after a fixed schedule.
Antipsychotic action of the drugs was evaluated according to three types of measures: 1) IMPS; 2) NOSIE and 3) need for chlorpromazine given p.r.n. (indirect measure).
Results of this study indicate that both fluphénazine salts are superior to placebo and possess significant antipsychotic properties as demonstrated by the indirect measure. No significant difference was found between enanthate and bichlorhydrate of fluphénazine.
Some methodological aspects of psychopharmacological research are also discussed.