[Long-term tranquilizers - an alternative in medical practice (author's transl)].

Over a period of 7 to 12 weeks we studied 3 series of 274 patients with depressive and somatic complaints treated with the long-acting neuroleptic fluspirilene in a dosage of 1-1.5 mg weekly. By means of various rating scales it was compared to diazepam in regard to its tranquilizing effects. Fluspirilene showed good activating and antidepressive qualities, which were superior to those of diazepam, whereas somatic complaints responded equally well to both drugs. The indications for a long-acting tranquilizer with the advantage of a controllable application are being discussed.