Tolerability of low dose neuroleptics: a case control study of flupenthixol.
There are no data available on the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms when using long-term flupenthixol in low dosage in patients suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders. In a case control study 106 patients essentially treated with the neuroleptic flupenthixol in a so-called low, non-antipsychotic dosage were compared to n=37 otherwise comparable patients who never had been treated with neuroleptics. The investigator was blind to the previous treatment conditions. Extrapyramidal symptoms were found although with a low prevalence and mild degree: 6.7% tardive dyskinesia, none in controls; pseudoparkinsonism 26%, 16% in controls. Extrapyramidal side-effects, especially tardive dyskinesia, have to be considered in the individual weighing of therapeutic benefits and risks even when prescribing flupenthixol in low dosages.
Fritze
J
J
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie I, Zentrum der Psychiatrie, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Spreda
I
I
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005475:Flupenthixol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C007761:flupenthixol decanoate; D005475:Flupenthixol