title: Dose-response relationships of perphenazine in the treatment of acute psychoses.
abstract: A group of 26 acute psychotic patients received continuous oral treatment with perphenazine for a period of 5 weeks. Once-weekly blood samples were drawn for measurements of perphenazine levels and, simultaneously, the therapeutic outcome was registered. Another 26 acute psychotic patients received continuous oral treatment with perphenazine for a period of up to 4 weeks. A single blood sample was drawn and the perphenazine concentration was related to the appearance of extrapyramidal side effects. The following conclusions were made: (1) a high risk of provoking extrapyramidal side effects was associated with plasma levels of perphenazine above 3 nmol/l; (2) plasma levels below 2 nmol/l were associated with a poor therapeutic outcome; (3) a 'therapeutic window' between 2 and 3 nmol/l gives maximal therapeutic effect with a low risk of provoking extrapyramidal side effects.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010546:Perphenazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010546:Perphenazine