[Comparison between the effectiveness of fluphenazine decanoate and oxyprothepin decanoate in schizophrenia...

The efficacy of the long-acting neuroleptic oxyprothepin decanoate (HD), a new Czechoslovak drug, was evaluated in comparison with that of fluphenazine decanoate (FD). Within a year two groups consisting, respectively, of 19 and 17 patients were treated. The patients of the first group received FD for 6 months and then HD for the next 6 months. The patients of the second group received the same drugs, but in the reverse order (cross-testing). The degree of the psychic disturbances was assessed according to a special scale (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) with subsequent determination of the statistical significance of the differences revealed. As regards the efficacy HD appeared to be close to FD. No statistically significant differences between them were noted. The seeming superiority of HD over FD disappeared on introducing the correction for the order of their administration (the drug administered first produced a more marked therapeutic effect). Side effects due to both drugs were minor, however HD caused them in a far lesser number of patients than FD.