Zuclopenthixol og haloperidol/levpromazin hos elder En kontrollert multisenterundersøkelse dobbelt-blind sammenligning

In 9 geriatric units in the county of Østfold a 4-week double-blind investigation was carried out using zuclopenthixol (Cisordinol®) and haloperidol/levomepromazine (Haldol®/Nozinan®) administered to 48 patients with senile dementia showing restlessness and aggressiveness. Their average age was 86 and 83 years, respectively. The initial dose was either 2 mg zuclopenthixol twice daily or 1 mg haloperidol in the morning and 5 mg levomepromazine in the evening. In week 4 the average daily dose was 4.8 mg zuclopenthixol and 1.6/7.6 mg haloperidol/levomepromazine. The intensity of the symptoms was significantly reduced already after one week and was still further reduced after 2 and 4 weeks' treatment in both treatment groups, most in the zuclopenthixol group. After 2 weeks this difference between the two groups was significant. Few side-effects were registered. The study shows that both zuclopenthixol and haloperidol/levomepromazine are useful drugs for restlessness and aggressiveness in elderly patients. The effect appears to set in more quickly with zuclopenthixol, and the advantage of using one preparation, which can also be given once daily, is emphasized