Observations on the Clinical Effects of a new Tranquillizing Agent in Psychotic Conditions

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
1. The planning and results of an investigation of perphenazine, a new phenothiazine derivative have been presented; this study was carried out with 84 psychotic patients in a mental hospital. 2. The chemistry, pharmacology and psychophysiology of this drug are briefly described, as well as the selection of patients, the setting, administration and dosage. 3. The clinical results were similar to those one would expect to obtain with chlorpromazine, using one-sixth to one-seventh of the dose of chlorpromazine. Good to excellent results were observed in acute psychotic states except depressions. Perphenazine is also a potent therapeutic agent in the management of chronic psychotic patients. 4. Untoward reactions may occur if perphenazine is combined with large doses of reserpine, or patients are immediately changed from perphenazine to chlorpromazine. Caution might be indicated with the use of the drug in obese patients. 5. The principal clinical differences between perphenazine and chlorpromazine as observed in our series were: more frequent and earlier extrapyramidal symptoms (well controlled by various anti-Parkinsonian drugs), fewer autonomic and allergic side effects, less drowsiness, and less pain on intramuscular injection.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: