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

Abstract

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.

Psychopharmacology and adverse effects of antipsychotic long-acting injections: A review

“…38 Later trials found doses of 50-200 mg every 4 weeks to be adequately effective. 39,40 Zuclopenthixol decanoate is initiated with a test dose of 100 mg and maintenance doses vary from 200 mg every 4 weeks to 600 mg a week. In an open dose-reduction study of 23 patients, the minimum effective dose was shown to be, on average, 200 mg every 2 weeks (range 60-400 mg).…”