SIDE-EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE NEUROLEPTICS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CLINICAL OUTCOME IN GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

1. The present study was designed to determine the impact of neurolept ic side effects on clinical outcome in generalized anxiety disorder. 2 . 205 outpatients entered the study. In an open label design fluspiril ene 1.5mg per week was administered for a period of 6 weeks. 3. Consis tent with previous studies fluspirilene demonstrated again anxiolytic properties and was in general tolerated well. 4. However, in responder s significantly less side effects were observed than in nonresponders. The interaction between tolerability and clinical outcome is the main finding of the present study. 5. In conclusion, the data suggest, tha t neuroleptic treatment of generalized anxiety disorder should be guid ed by paying more attention to potential side effects. If under neurol eptic treatment of generalized anxiety disorders side effects are obse rved, pharmacotherapy should be discontinued, because this fact predic ts an unfavourable clinical outcome.