Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 104-107. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.3.104
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, D.
Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 104-107
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Medicines information

Establishing a dose-response relationship for haloperidol decanoate

David Taylor

Pharmacy Department, Maudsley Hospital, London SE5 8AZ. E-mail: David.taylor{at}slam.nhs.uk

Declaration of interest

None.

Abstract

AIMS AND METHOD

The aim of this literature analysis was to establish the range of doses of haloperidol decanoate effective in preventing relapse in schizophrenia. Studies reporting relapse rates in patients treated for longer than 6 months were included. Relapse rate was then plotted against dose or log dose to allow drawing of dose-response curves.

RESULTS

Fifteen publications reporting 13 individual studies were identified. Of these, 6 studies met inclusion criteria and were analysed. Dose-response curves indicated limited effect at 25 mg/4 weeks but near maximal effect at doses of 50 mg/4 weeks. There was no clear evidence that increasing the dose above 100 mg/4 weeks provided additional benefit in preventing relapse.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The recommended dose range for haloperidol decanoate (50-300 mg/4 weeks) does not reflect the findings of this study. Optimally effective doses appear to be around 50-100 mg/4 weeks. The use of doses above 100 mg/4 weeks is difficult to support given data available.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Br. J. PsychiatryHome page
D. Taylor
Psychopharmacology and adverse effects of antipsychotic long-acting injections: a review
The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2009; 195(52): S13 - S19.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]