Fluspirilene in the treatment of non-hospitalized schizophrenic patients.

A study was carried out to assess the efficacy of fluspirilene, a long-acting psychotropic agent, in the treatment of 29 non-hospitalized schizophrenic patients. Patients received an initial weekly injection of 6 mg to 10 mg fluspirlene, depending on the severity of the illness, and this was increased by 2 mg weekly as necessary to achieve control without side-effects. The mean weekly dose after stabilization was 9.2 +/- 3.4 mg (range 6 mg to 20 mg). Global assessment of patients' response to treatment showed a significant improvement in schizophrenic symptoms within 4 weeks in 20 of the 29 patients, and in 24 of 29 by the end of the 12-week trial period. Four patients were unable to be controlled in the community and were admitted to hospital. Side-effects were minimal and led to withdrawal of treatment in only 1 patient. It is suggested that fluspirilene is a useful drug in the treatment of schizophrenics without having to admit them to hospital initially.