A role for high-dose antipsychotics.
The authors present a series of cases demonstrating that some chronically psychotic patients require higher doses of antipsychotic medication (greater than 15 mg/day of haloperidol equivalents) than are currently in vogue as a result of research on low-dose treatment. In a random sample of 100 patients treated with psychotropic medication, 64 were treated with antipsychotics. Of these, 8 (12.5%) appeared to require high doses. The literature on low-dose treatment is reviewed, and the role of higher-dose therapy is placed in perspective.
Brotman
A W
AW
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Erich Lindeman Mental Health Center, Boston.
McCormick
S
S
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol