title: Search for a therapeutic range for serum zuclopenthixol concentrations in schizophrenic patients.
abstract: The aim of our study was to find a therapeutic range for the serum concentration of zuclopenthixol (S-Zu) in chronic schizophrenic patients. S-Zu was measured in 17 patients and dosage reduction was suggested by the laboratory if S-Zu exceeded 15 nmol/L. The clinical symptoms and side effects were evaluated blindly using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the UKU rating scale, respectively. S-Zu and ratings were repeated 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the final dosage adjustments. In 7 of 10 patients with S-Zu > 15 nmol/L the dosage was reduced by 20-67%. After dosage reduction the S-Zu was below 15 nmol/L in 10 of the 17 patients. The mean BPRS score and the side effects, evaluated by the UKU scale, were reduced in patients in whom the dosage was reduced. It is suggested that S-Zu in the range 5-15 nmol/L may serve as a preliminary therapeutic range for S-Zu.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Brønderslev Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kjølbye
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rogne
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rehfelt
authors.forename: O V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Olesen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003006:Clopenthixol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003718:Denmark; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003006:Clopenthixol