Biomedical subjects

N W Imlah

Publications and source records attributed to N W Imlah.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1988

Plasma levels of fluphenazine and prolactin in psychiatric patients.

A total of 100 patients receiving fluphenazine (FPZ) decanoate for at least 12 months (96 schizophrenics and 4 other diagnoses) were investigated for plasma levels of FPZ and prolactin on the day of injection (day 0) and 7 days later (day 7). The plasma FPZ level significantly correlated with the weekly dose of FPZ. The plasma FPZ level per weekly FPZ dose multiplied by 100 (the FPZ ratio) showed a 20-fold variation. The FPZ ratio was significantly higher in the day- and in-patients (hospital-patients) than in out-patients. The plasma prolactin level significantly correlated with the plasma FPZ level but the prolactin to FPZ ratio negatively correlated with the plasma FPZ level. The prolactin to FPZ ratio was lower in the hospital patients than in the out-patients. This may suggest either that the high prolactin to FPZ ratio is an indicator of the therapeutic efficacy of FPZ or that there are at least two biologically distinct subgroups, one with a sharp prolactin response to FPZ, therefore with good prognosis, and another with the reverse direction.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Ten-year follow-up of schizophrenic patients on pipothiazine palmitate.

A group of 11 schizophrenic patients, initially participating in a preliminary evaluation of pipothiazine palmitate, has been kept continuously on this long-acting depot neuroleptic drug for a mean period of 10 years and 9 months. The average dose per injection is 75 mg with an average interval of 4 weeks. An evaluation of the physical, mental and social state of these patients is reported. It is concluded that the patients collectively had responded much better than could have been forecast at the outset of treatment. The drug was effective at 4-weekly intervals, the incidence of side-effects was low, and there was no evidence of unforeseen biological effects from continuous medication.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

An evaluation of alprazolam in the treatment of reactive or neurotic (secondary) depression.

To investigate the effectiveness of a new benzodiazepine, alprazolam, and to compare this with amitriptyline (AMT) and with placebo, a trial was undertaken in 65 patients in whom depression was considered to be the dominating feature but not considered to be the primary cause of their condition; it was designed to exclude endogenous depressions. A consistent pattern was found favouring alprazolam over AMT both in rate of response and in total response, as well as significant differences in favour of both alprazolam and AMT over placebo. A comparison of side effects showed a definite trend in favour of alprazolam and placebo over AMT.

Adjustment Disorders↗

PubMed1978

The episodic nature of anxiety and its treatment with oxazepam.

The presentation of anxiety in clinical practice is examined, and it is concluded that many patients, perhaps a majority, experience fluctuating levels of anxiety. It is therefore suggested that therapy should be intermittent, according to this waxing and waning of symptoms. Most benzodiazepines are long-acting, and are therefore unsuitable for this type of therapy, but oxazepam, which is short-acting and has no active metabolites, is ideal for this purpose. It is proposed that such a regimen would minimize the problems of over-sedation, psychological habituation, and a reluctance, due to a permanently tranquillized state, to deal with the root causes of the anxiety.

Anxiety↗

PubMed1976

Long-term follow-up studies of drugs in schizophrenia.

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Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1976

A planned system of community care for schizophrenia in Great Britain.

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Adult↗

PubMed1975

A preliminary evaluation of pipothiazine palmitate in schizophrenia.

A preliminary evaluation of pipothiazine palmitate by injection was carried out in 25 schizophrenic patients to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug, probable dosage schedules and intervals between doses, and to observ any undesirable side-effects. A good overall response was obtained in 64% of the patients. The authors suggest that the optimum maintenance dosage is between 50 and 100 mg. given at 4-weekly intervals. Although extra-pyramidal side-effects were high, only 1 patient had to be withdrawn on this account; the symptoms being well-controlled in mostly by procyclidine. Other adverse side-effects were negligible and there was no evidence of adverse biological effects. It is concluded that pipthiazine palmitate has considerable potential in the treatment of schizophrenia and a longer-term study is being conducted.

Adult↗

PubMed1974