In an open, uncontrolled trial
flupenthixol was administered to 45 patients with
endogenous depression. The
drug was markedly effective in eight patients, effective in nine patients, fairly effective in 12 patients, and ineffective or aggravating in 16 patients. Four patients showed transient manic symptoms. Dosage was 1-3 mg daily. In 36 patients
flupenthixol was used in combination with previously administered
tricyclic antidepressants, and in nine patients it was used alone. Clinical effect was quickly apparent. It appeared within 1 week in 63% and within 2 weeks in 93% of subjects. Side-effects were observed in 13 patients:
insomnia, five patients; slight extrapyramidal symptoms, nine patients.
Sedative-hypnogenic effects were rarely seen. In 71% of 17 patients in whom the
drug was found to be markedly effective or effective,
flupenthixol's influence on psychomotor retardation was particularly striking. Other clear benefits were relief of depressive mood, psychic anxiety, and agitation. It is recommended that
flupenthixol is given, as supplementary medication, to patients (1) whose depressive symptoms other than psychomotor retardation have already improved with current
tricyclic antidepressants, and (2) in whom, before
antidepressant medication, psychomotor retardation is a principal feature.