Three years' maintenance neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia--before and beyond.

A group of patients with schizophrenia, initially 67 patients, was studied over a period of 3 years. After three years 36 out of 67 patients were still on the same depot neuroleptic. The main aim was to describe and compare maintenance neuroleptic therapy using two depot neuroleptics, fluphenazine decanoate and pipotiazine palmitate, given monthly. Before the outpatient care the patients had participated in the department's comprehensive hospital treatment including depot neuroleptic medication. After a 1-year clinical trial with frequent assessments of the patients, significant symptom reductions were found on all rating scales. During the last 2 years of the study only drug therapy was given. Improvement concerning social function in the community and work level as well as the low-rated psychopathology noted at the start of study also persisted at the 3-year follow-up. The side effects were low in frequency and quality. These results show the clinical value of long-term maintenance treatment with depot neuroleptics. The results also confirm that the favourable effects of the hospital treatment demonstrated before the start of the clinical trial could be maintained. The possibilities of further improving aftercare and outpatient treatment beyond medication alone are discussed.