An Extended Trial of Oxypertine in Five Selected Cases of Chronic Schizophrenia

Abstract

The value of oxypertine in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia has been the subject of several clinical trials, the results of which have been reviewed recently (Skarbek and Jacobsen, 1965). In particular a comparison of the effects of oxypertine and trifluoperazine in thirty-five schizophrenic women revealed statistically significant differences between the drugs, oxypertine showing a tendency to activate the withdrawn cases (Calwell, Jacobsen and Skarbek, 1964). An opportunity arose to study five of these patients again under controlled conditions, and it was felt that this would be useful for two reasons. First, it would show whether the response to oxypertine was repeatable, as the patients had meanwhile resumed their previous treatment. Secondly, by a detailed examination over an extended period, using a battery of tests and flexible dosage, a more exact delineation of the optimal symptomatic response to oxypertine could be made.