Abrupt withdrawal of Chlorpromazine and Thioridazine from Schizophrenic In-Patients

Abstract

In this study forty patients were randomly assigned to either a Continuation of Thioridazine or Chlorpromazine Medication Group or to a Placebo Medication Group. Withdrawal symptoms were recorded in a large majority of the Placebo Group. Characteristically, these symptoms no longer occurred after the second week of withdrawal. Symptoms which characterized the patient's illness prior to phenothiazine treatment were observed in 50 per cent of the Placebo Group by the end of the six weeks' withdrawal period. None of the Drug Group showed relapse symptoms.