ADVERSE-EFFECTS OF 2 LONG-ACTING DEPOT ANTIPSYCHOTIC-DRUGS

A comparison of the adverse effects of the depot Preparations of flupe nthixol decanoate (Depixol(R)) and fluphenazine decanoate (Modecate(R) ) was conducted in 100 chronic schizophrenic patients attending the ou tpatient department at the Psychiatric Hospital, Bahrain. Although aka thisia, parkinsonism, weight pin and endocrine effects were seen in a large number of cases, there was no statistically significant differen ce in their incidence between the 2 groups. Furthermore, there was no difference in the efficacy of the 2 preparations studied. We observed abnormal hair loss in 42 cases - 22 on Depixol(R) and 20 on Modecate(R ). This previously unreported side effect is probably due to these lon g-acting antipsychotic drugs.