A controlled one year study of pipotiazine palmitate and fluphenazine decanoate in chronic schizophrenic syndromes

Studied 2 depot neuroleptics, pipotiazine palmitate (PP) and fluphenazine decanoate (FD), in a 12-mo double-blind trial using 4-wk intervals between injections. Ss were 67 chronic schizophrenics distributed randomly between 2 age- and sex-matched groups. Ss were selected from a population that had previously been treated satisfactorily with long-acting neuroleptics. Global ratings show that of the Ss who entered the trial, 80% in the FD group and 88% in the PP group were satisfactorily controlled after 12 mo. The outcome after 6 and 12 mo of trial, evaluated by means of the global ratings, the social and work performance function levels, and rating scales, indicates that the psychiatric symptoms decreased for most of the Ss that completed the trial. At the same time the side effects were reduced, especially those of an extrapyramidal type. The detailed results indicate certain differences between the 2 drugs. (French summary)