DL-propranolol and chlorpromazine following admission for schizophrenia. A controlled comparison.

Similar improvement followed when propranolol and chlorpromazine were randomly used as the first drug after admission. Forty-six patients with florid symptoms of schizophrenia were assigned at random to have either racemic propranolol (24) or chlorpromazine (22). Each individual's drug was adjusted to an optimal dose, and the progress of the groups was followed for 12 weeks. Thirty-five patients remained in the study for 6 weeks, and 27 for 12 weeks. By weeks 6 and 12 the total schizophrenia scores on a modified Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale had improved significantly when the results from both groups were combined. The numbers leaving the study, and the amount and rate of improvement, were similar for both groups, but with a possible advantage to chlorpromazine. Side-effects, which usually were mild, were commoner in the chlorpromazine group.