Oral long acting antipsychotic penfluridol as a harm reduction treatment in a patient suffering from untreated schizophrenia and multiple drug dependence: A case report

Psychiatry Res. 2021 Oct:304:114147. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114147. Epub 2021 Aug 3.

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenic spectrum disorders, are common in People Who Use Drugs (PWUD). Promoting adherence to medication among PWUD with dual diagnosis is challenging. We present the case of a treatment-disrupted patient suffering from schizophrenia with co-occuring multiple drug dependence to whom penfluridol - an oral long acting typical antipsychotic - was proposed at the Supervised Drug Consumption Room (SDCR) of Paris. Penfluridol quickly improved patient's psychotic symptoms, increased engagement in addiction care and helped maintaining the patient in "Housing First" program. In harm reduction structure, penfluridol can be seen as a "hook treatment" while maintaining therapeutic alliance and favoring patients' engagement in specific care.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Harm Reduction
  • Humans
  • Penfluridol / therapeutic use
  • Schizophrenia* / complications
  • Schizophrenia* / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Penfluridol