Two depot neuroleptics (flupenthixol palmitate and clopemthixol de canoate) used for at least 15 months were withdrawn in 32 schizephrenic outpatients belonging to the most symptom‐free and social cohort of a total patient population. They all had only slight schizophrenic symptoms, were well adapted in the community, and had been free from relapse for at least 2 years before the study. They were assessed by means of rating scales every month during the first six months and then after 9 and 12 months.After the one‐year trial 26 patients had relapsed. Moreover, after the control period further 4 out of 6 patients relapsed during the following drug‐free year. These results indicate the necessity of a long follow‐up period after withdrawal of depot neuroleptics. Moreover, the results suggest that periodical drug‐free periods of about 3 months are appropriate in symptom‐poor patients during long‐term treatment with long‐acting anti