title: Blood levels of neuroleptics: state of the art.
abstract: Difficulties in developing techniques to measure plasma levels of neuroleptic drugs have included the presence of metabolites, as well as cross-reactivity not only between these metabolites and the parent compound but between drugs (e.g., a phenothiazine and a tricyclic). Although newer techniques have minimized some of these problems, interpretation of published data must also recognize such design limitations as variable dose, small sample size, etc. The literature is reviewed on the relationship between therapeutic response and plasma levels of chlorpromazine, thioridazine, thiothixene, fluphenazine, butaperazine, and haloperidol. It is suggested that additional studies, carefully designed, on dosage and plasma levels could help in achieving the lowest possible therapeutic dosage and thus in minimizing side effects.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yadalam
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D013881:Thioridazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D013888:Thiothixene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines; D013888:Thiothixene; C011825:fluphenazine depot; D006220:Haloperidol; D013881:Thioridazine; D005476:Fluphenazine; D002746:Chlorpromazine