What is the maximum daily dose and duration for trifluoperazine in short-term anxiety management?

• A. No more than 6 mg/day and not longer than 12 weeks
• B. No more than 4 mg/day and 6 weeks
• C. No more than 8 mg/day and 16 weeks
• D. No more than 2 mg/day and 4 weeks

Answer: (A)

Trifluoperazine is a high-potency typical antipsychotic, and when used for anxiety the aim is to achieve symptom relief with the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. The risks of extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, and other adverse effects rise with both higher doses and longer use. Therefore, the safest, most practical guideline for short-term anxiety management is a maximum of 6 mg per day, with treatment not extending beyond about 12 weeks. If there isn’t adequate benefit within this window or if side effects appear, it’s better to reassess rather than push the dose higher or continue longer. Lower doses or shorter durations may be used in milder cases or in patients with higher risk for movement disorders, but the combination of 6 mg/day and up to 12 weeks represents the balance between potential benefit and risk for this medication in this setting.