Dose of fluphenazine, familial expressed emotion, and outcome in schizophrenia. Results of a two-year controlled study
Issues regarding the side effects of antipsychotic medication and the possible contribution of the environment to dose requirements led to a two-year controlled dosage study of maintenance antipsychotic medication and familial environment among recently discharged schizophrenic patients. Seventy stable patients, living in high- or low-expressed emotion (EE) households, were randomized, double blind, to receive a standard dose of fluphenazine decanoate (average,25 mg every two weeks) or a minimal dose representing 20% of the dose prescribed (average, 3.8 mg every two weeks). No differences in relapse were observed among dose, EE, or dose and EE. Patients in the minimal dose/high-EE condition experienced more minor but aborted episodes in year 2. Side effects were fewer on the minimal dose after one year, and low-EE patients were better adjusted than high-EE patients. Over time, minimal-dose recipients were significantly more improved in their instrumental and interpersonal role performance than were standard-dose recipients.
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- Psychiatry
- 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
- 11 Medical and Health Sciences
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Published In
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Psychiatry
- 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
- 11 Medical and Health Sciences