Application of clopixole in therapy of aged mental patients

Efficiency and safety of low doses of clopixole were studied in a group of old patients with psychotic disorders and disorders of behavior (a agitatio n and psychotic symptoms) in dementia. 31 patients of 61-90 years of age we re examined. The duration of the therapy was 35 days. The patients were exa mined by means of standard clinical scales both before the treatment and on the treatment day 7, 14, 21 and 35. The mean daily dose of the drug in pat ients with psychotic disorders was 7,8+/-3,8 mg, while in patients with dem entias - 4,2 +/- 2,2 mg. Efficiency of clopixole was evident both in dement ias and in psychotic disorders. However, in patients with dementias it was higher than in those with psychotic disorders (the number of the responders was 69,2 and 58,8% respectively); moreover, a therapeutic effect was more rapidly achieved. In most patients a pronounced therapeutic effect was obse rved at a daily dose of the drug less than 4-6 mg. Increase of the doses di dn't result in a significant elevation of the efficiency, but was accompani ed by an increase of the risk of side effects. In clinical activity of the drug a pronounced antipsychotic and quick sedative effect were found, that were not accompanied by significant sedative side-effects. Low doses of clo pixole were tolerated quite well. A low risk of the development of extrapyr amid side effects is an important advantage of its application.