EFFICACY OF TRIFLUOPERAZINE IN CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS
ROBERT B. CAHAN M.D.1
1 Norristown State Hospital, Norristown, Pa.
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.
