Oral long acting antipsychotic penfluridol as a harm reduction treatment in a patient suffering from untreated schizophrenia and multiple drug dependence: A case report. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dauré, Charles; Fortias, Maeva; Icick, Romain; Delage, Clément; Bloch, Vanessa; Avril, Elisabeth; Vorspan, Florence
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 304(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

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.