Dose of fluphenazine, familial expressed emotion, and outcome in schizophrenia. Results of a two-year controlled study.
Issues regarding the side effects of antipsychotic medication and the possible contribution of the environment to dose requirements led to a two-year controlled dosage study of maintenance antipsychotic medication and familial environment among recently discharged schizophrenic patients. Seventy stable patients, living in high- or low-expressed emotion (EE) households, were randomized, double blind, to receive a standard dose of fluphenazine decanoate (average, 25 mg every two weeks) or a minimal dose representing 20% of the dose prescribed (average, 3.8 mg every two weeks). No differences in relapse were observed among dose, EE, or dose and EE. Patients in the minimal dose/high-EE condition experienced more minor but aborted episodes in year 2. Side effects were fewer on the minimal dose after one year, and low-EE patients were better adjusted than high-EE patients. Over time, minimal-dose recipients were significantly more improved in their instrumental and interpersonal role performance than were standard-dose recipients.
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213-2593.
G E
GE
Hogarty
J P
JP
McEvoy
M
M
Munetz
A L
AL
DiBarry
P
P
Bartone
R
R
Cather
S J
SJ
Cooley
R F
RF
Ulrich
M
M
Carter
M J
MJ
Madonia
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004644:Emotions; D004777:Environment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment
D005476:Fluphenazine