A Controlled Trial of Phenothiazine Withdrawal in Chronic Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract
Summary: Phenothiazine drugs were withdrawn from 17 chronic schizophrenic in-patients, with a control group of 14 patients remaining on active medication. The trial was conducted under double blind conditions over a period of 42 weeks with weekly assessment of the patients by ward nurses. Of the placebo group 35 per cent relapsed, relapse being related to the level of previous active medication.