The use of flupenthixol ('Fluanxol') in the management of behavioural disorders in disturbed and psychotic children.

Twenty-four children treated wih flupenthixol for behavioural disorders were studied in the out-patient clinic. The drug was given in small doses (0.4 to 2.0 mg per day) for periods ranging from 6 months to 2 years as an alternative to psychotherapy in cases where the latter was not possible. All patients were diagnosed clinically and psychologically as suffering from progressive symptoms of aggression or psychosis. Both the clinical and the psychological assessments showed improvement, particularly in insomnia and aggression. There was also improvement in social contact and concentration leading to improvement in performance at school. Although the health of the children remained very delicate, the results achieved with flupenthixol appeared to be stable even after treatment was stopped.