title: Haloperidol decanoate in chronic schizophrenia: a study of 12 months with plasma levels.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Altamura
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colacurcio
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Novellis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C033563:haloperidol decanoate; D006220:Haloperidol