Clopenthixol Decanoate in the Management of Aggressive Mentally Handicapped Patients

Abstract

The management of aggressive and disruptive behaviour in mentally handicapped patients is a severe problem, and it is widely accepted that drug therapy is only one component in the range of measures required for a comprehensive regime, although the use of depot phenothiazines is widespread (Craft & Schiff, 1980). The evidence for their therapeutic effectiveness in the mentally handicapped is usually empirical, and sometimes based on anecdotal evidence. Clopenthixol decanoate is widely used in the management of aggressive and disruptive behaviour in such patients, probably as a result of experience of the use of this drug in schizophrenic patients. Carney & Rutherford (1981) reported a marked improvement in both aggressive and non-aggressive behaviour disorders in 20 chronic schizophrenic patients treated for 11 months with clopenthixol decanoate, while Visiwanathan & Rajhkowa (1982) stated that it was of undoubted value in the management of chronic in-patients, especially those with ‘positive affective’ symptoms such as hostility, aggression, suspiciousness, and irritability.