Although there are shortcomings and gaps in the data, there appears to be enough overall consistency for different outcomes. The efficacy and adverse effects profile of penfluridol are similar to other typical antipsychotics; both oral and depot. Furthermore, penfluridol is shown to be an adequate treatment option for people with schizophrenia, especially those who do not respond to oral medication on a daily basis and do not adapt well to depot drugs. One of the results favouring penfluridol was a lower drop out rate in medium term when compared to depot medications. It is also an option for chronic sufferers of schizophrenia with residual psychotic symptoms who nevertheless need continuous use of antipsychotic medication. An additional benefit of penfluridol is that it is a low-cost intervention.
Note: the eight citations in the awaiting classification section of the review may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.
Changes in psychopathology in relation to EEG variables and visual averaged evoked responses (V.AER) in schizophrenic patients treated with penfluridol or thiothixene.
In a study of 28 schizophrenic in-patients treated with penfluridol or thiothixene, patients were followed with clinical ratings, EEG variables, the mean integrated amplitude (MIA) on both the left and right sides--both with filters with frequency ranges from 7.5 to 13.5 and 0.5 to 25 Hz--as well as its within-patient variance (WPV) on both sides and with both filters, and also with visual averaged evoked responses (V.AER). Moreover, determinations of plasma levels of the drugs were conducted in a search for possible objective measurements of the effects of the treatment, but also to try to find measurements that would make it possible to predict the outcome of treatment. MIA left/right and WPV left/right were found to be the most promising variables to follow the effect of treatment, which were correlated to factors 1 and 2 of the Mårten's S-scale. WPV left/right before treatment was correlated to changes in factor 4 of the S-scale during the trial.