title: Serum neuroleptic levels, prolactin levels, and relapse: a two-year study of schizophrenic outpatients.
abstract: For 2 years serum neuroleptic levels, prolactin levels, and clinical states were assessed in 105 male schizophrenic outpatients every 6 months. The patients were taking a variety of neuroleptics at clinically determined fixed doses. Those who had psychotic symptoms at 50% or more of their visits attained serum levels of neuroleptics and prolactin well within or above the range observed in the remitted patients. Neuroleptic and prolactin levels did not discriminate patients who relapsed from those who did not relapse. In the remitted patients who relapsed at least once during the study period, neuroleptic and prolactin serum levels were lower before the relapse episodes than before the stable periods.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011388:Prolactin