High potency neuroleptics and violence in schizophrenics.
In a controlled study, inpatient violence was measured during placebo, high-potency (haloperidol) and low-potency (chlorpromazine or clozapine) neuroleptics. Some patients had a marked increase in violent behavior with the moderately high-dose haloperidol, but not with low-potency neuroleptics. The authors discuss reasons for the increased violence with haloperidol, including akathisia and drug-induced behavioral toxicity.
Clinical Research Unit, Metropolitan State Hospital, Norwalk, California 90250.
J N
JN
Herrera
J J
JJ
Sramek
J F
JF
Costa
S
S
Roy
C W
CW
Heh
B N
BN
Nguyen
D000328:Adult; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D014754:Violence
D003024:Clozapine; D006220:Haloperidol; D002746:Chlorpromazine