1. Efficacy of trifluoperazine in chronic mental illness
- Author
-
Robert B. Cahan
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pediatrics ,business.industry ,Mental Disorders ,Muscular weakness ,Trifluoperazine ,Psychotherapy ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Tranquilizing Agents ,Muscular Rigidity ,Chronic mental illness ,Toxicity ,medicine ,Psychiatry ,business ,Electroconvulsive Therapy ,medicine.drug ,Female population - Abstract
Trifluoperazine is considered to be of limited usefulness and considerable toxicity in an elderly female population. The 8 patients with increased muscular rigidity having 4 of their number improved by Stelazine should be contrasted with the absence of psychiatric improvement among the 8 women with muscular weakness. Investigation of this phenomenon may reveal clues to the operation of trifluoperazine. On the positive side, no agranulocytic, hepatotoxic, or biliary static effects were noted. A therapeutic agent which can improve the ward management of one-fifth of the severely and chronically ill patients should be considered as part of the psychotherapeutic armamentarium.
- Published
- 1960