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A Clinical Trial Comparing Prochlorperazine ("Stemetil") with Chlorpromazine ("Largactil") in the Treatment of Chronic Psychotic Patients

Warley Hospital, Brentwood, Essex

ABSTRACT

An outline is given of the derivation, formula, and known pharmacology of prochlorperazine and of the use of chlorpromazine in the treatment of the aggressive, disturbed chronic psychotic patient. Fifty of this type of patient (mainly schizophrenic) were assessed and divided into paired groups. Inert tablets were given for two weeks, followed by increasing doses of prochlorperazine to one group and chlorpromazine to the other. The maximum doses were I50 mg. daily and 300 mg. daily respectively given for five weeks. Patients were interviewed at weekly intervals and a final assessment made. Side effects are described, especially marked being Parkinsonism in the prochlorperazine group.

The conclusion is reached that there is no advantage on clinical grounds in the use of prochlorperazine as opposed to chlorpromazine in the treatment of the aggressive disturbed chronic male psychotic, and that the greater incidence of side effects seems a contra-indication to its use in treating this type of patient. The dosage level of prochlorperazine would seem to be about half that of chlorpromazine in psychiatric practice.