Haloperidol decanoate in chronic schizophrenia: a study of 12 months with plasma levels

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1990;14(1):25-35. doi: 10.1016/0278-5846(90)90061-k.

Abstract

1. Clinical activity, extrapyramidal side-effects were evaluated in 22 schizophrenic out patients diagnosed according to DSM III and treated with haloperidol decanoate (50-300 mg i.m. monthly dose) for 12 months. 2. BPRS total scores did not show significant fluctuations showing a clinical stability of the patient population. 3. Patients with a duration of illness greater than 10 yrs (Group 2) showed significant (p less than 0.01) higher EPSE total scores compared to those with a duration of illness less than 10 yrs (Group 1). 4. A positive correlation was found between the administered dose and haloperidol plasma levels. 5. Patients from Group 2 reached the steady-state more slowly and showed a lower total L/D ratio compared to those from Group 1. 6. The pharmacokinetic approach seems desirable in order to adjust the dose and avoid schizophrenic relapses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Haloperidol / blood
  • Haloperidol / pharmacokinetics
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Schizophrenia / blood
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • haloperidol decanoate
  • Haloperidol