Penfluridol is a highly potent, first generation diphenylbutylpiperidine

Diphenylbutylpiperidine

Diphenylbutylpiperidines are a class of typical antipsychotic drugs which were all synthesized, developed, and marketed by Janssen Pharmaceutica.They include:* Clopimozide * Fluspirilene * Pimozide...

 antipsychotic

Antipsychotic

An antipsychotic is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication primarily used to manage psychosis , particularly in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s...

. It was discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica

Janssen Pharmaceutica

Janssen Pharmaceutica is pharmaceutical company, established in Belgium in 1953 by Paul Janssen. Its headquarters are located in Beerse, in the Campine region of the province of Antwerp, Belgium. It was created not as a subsidiary of a chemical factory but solely with the aim of conducting...

 in 1968. Related to other diphenylbutylpiperidine antipsychotics, pimozide

Pimozide

Pimozide is an antipsychotic drug of the diphenylbutylpiperidine class. It was discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1963. It has a high potency compared to chlorpromazine . On a weight basis it is even more potent than haloperidol. It also has special neurologic indications for Tourette syndrome...

 and fluspirilene

Fluspirilene

Fluspirilene is a diphenylbutylpiperidine antipsychotic drug, used for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is administered intramuscularly. It was discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1963.-Chemistry:...

, penfluridol has an extremely long elimination half-life and its effects last for many days after single oral dose. Its antipsychotic potency, in terms of dose needed to produce comparable effects, is similar to both haloperidol

Haloperidol

Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic. It is in the butyrophenone class of antipsychotic medications and has pharmacological effects similar to the phenothiazines....

 and pimozide. It is only slightly sedative

Sedative

A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....

, but often causes extrapyramidal

Extrapyramidal

Extrapyramidal can refer to:* Extrapyramidal system* Extrapyramidal symptoms...

 side-effects, such as akathisia

Akathisia

Akathisia, or acathisia, is a syndrome characterized by unpleasant sensations of inner restlessness that manifests itself with an inability to sit still or remain motionless...

, dyskinesia

Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is a movement disorder which consists of effects including diminished voluntary movements and the presence of involuntary movements, similar to tics or choreia. Dyskinesia can be anything from a slight tremor of the hands to uncontrollable movement of, most commonly, the upper body but...

e and pseudo-Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism is a neurological syndrome characterized by tremor, hypokinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. The underlying causes of parkinsonism are numerous, and diagnosis can be complex...

. Penfluridol is indicated for antipsychotic treatment of chronic schizophrenia

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...

 and similar psychotic disorders

Psychosis

Psychosis means abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality"...

, it is, however, like most typical antipsychotics, being increasingly replaced by the atypical antipsychotics. Due to its extremely long lasting effects, it is often prescribed to be taken orally as tablets only once a week (q 7 days). The once-weekly dosis is usually 10—60 mg.