A depot neuroleptic withdrawal study neurological effects.

A double-blind withdrawal trial in 41 chronic schizophrenic outpatients was carried out over 6 months. Depot neuroleptics (fluphenazine decanoate or flupenthixol decanoate) were compared with placebo to evaluate neurological side effects during continued therapy and during withdrawal. The drugs were significantly more effective than placebo in preventing relapse and rehospitalization. In the placebo group 62% relapsed compared to 27% in the drug group. A difference was observed in the occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) between the neuroleptics in the study. Akathasia was observed in 9/38 (23.7%) cases, significantly more frequent in the fluphenazine decanoate group. Tardive dyskinesia (TD) was observed in six cases (15.8%); four cases existed at the start of the study and two others were observed after 3-6 weeks of withdrawal. There was no relation between TD symptoms and relapse. There was a significant decrease in the EPS scores during the placebo treatment and also a significant weight decrease.