Pipothiazine palmitate: a versatile, sustained-action neuroleptic in psychiatric practice

A study lasting 1 year assessed the effectiveness and tolerance of depot neuroleptic treatment with pipothiazine palmitate in 52 patients suffering from schizophrenia or related conditions (17 acute and 35 chronic). A 100 mg dose was given to 31 patients and 50 mg to 21 patients: 40 patients received injections 4-weekly, 8 patients 3-weekly and 4 patients 2-weekly. Duration of treatment ranged from 3 to 12 months, involving a total of 347 patient-months. The significant improvement produced by pipothiazine palmitate as shown by patient assessment, based on the Parkside Behaviour Rating Scale (p less than 0.05), a Hamilton-based affect scale (p less than 0.05) and a global rating scale of affect and psychomotor activity (p less than 0.01). Most target symptoms were relieved. A particularly favourable affective response was noted. The incidence of adverse reactions was low and did not present major problems; 6 cases of dystonic reaction were seen, but dealt with promptly and effectively.