[Perphenazine enanthate. Results of a 1-year open multicenter study]

The results of a one-year, open multicenter trial of perphenazine enanthate, a sustained-release neuroleptic drug, are reported. 240 patients (62% suffering from schizophrenia) were included in the study and 144 were followed during the 12-month period. The usual adverse reactions associated with sustained-release neuroleptic drugs were observed. Total and partial BPRS ratings showed that improvement (expressed as a percentage) after 12 months' treatment was similar for systematized chronic delusions, paranoid schizophrenia and hebephrenia. However, the onset of therapeutic activity was different in these three groups of patients. Maximum therapeutic activity, as defined by the BPRS rating, was obtained within 4 months in chronic delusions whereas schizophrenia improved more progressively. Such patients therefore require prolonged treatment before the therapeutic activity of a sustained-release neuroleptic drug can be assessed.