Effects of repeated drug holidays on serum haloperidol concentrations, psychiatric symptoms, and movement disorders in schizophrenic patients.
In a crossover experiment the authors investigated the effects of repeated weekly, 2-day, haloperidol drug holidays on serum haloperidol concentrations, mental status, and neuroleptic-induced movement disorders in seven chronic schizophrenic patients. Haloperidol concentrations decreased about 64% during the initial 36 hours of drug holiday and subsequently increased slightly during the next 24 hours of drug holiday. Two-day weekly drug holidays for 6 weeks resulted in an average reduction of 25% in serum haloperidol concentrations at all drug holiday points. Mental status and movement disorders scores, rated by observers blind to the drug-holiday condition, were not significantly affected by drug holidays.
Newton
J E
JE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Cannon
D J
DJ
Couch
L
L
Fody
E P
EP
McMillan
D E
DE
Metzer
W S
WS
Paige
S R
SR
Reid
G M
GM
Summers
B N
BN
D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D006220:Haloperidol