CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE USE OF PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Thirty-nine psychiatric patients were treated with promethazine hydrochloride. The severity of mental disturbances varied considerably from patient to patient. All were in need of psychiatric help, but hospitalization was not recommended.

Promethazine hydrochloride was administered orally and intramuscularly. Dosage and method of administration were adjusted according to the needs of the patient. The total daily dosage ranged from 37.5 mg. orally, to combined oral and parenteral administration of 350 mg. Each patient showed some degree of improvement on the individualized regimen prescribed. Of the 39 patients, 11 recovered completely; 18 showed pronounced improvement, and 10 showed moderate improvement. The only side-effect noted was an occasional complaint of pain at the site of injection. None of the serious side-effects reported following use of chlorpromazine and reserpine was observed in this series.

Of the 16 patients who have been followed the longest, 6 have maintained improvement on psychotherapy alone, without continued medication; in 8 improvement has been maintained on reduced dosage, and in 2 (psychotic patients) continuation of the original maintenance dose has been required.