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High Dosage Haloperidol in Chronic Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Robin G. McCreadie
Affiliation:
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH
Ian M. MacDonald
Affiliation:
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH

Abstract

In a double blind chlorpromazine-controlled trial, high dosage haloperidol (100 mg daily) given for three months, appreciably improved the mental state of male chronic ‘drug resistant’ schizophrenic in-patients in the rehabilitation/long-stay unit of one psychiatric hospital. The results of a three-month follow-up suggested that the improvement could be maintained in some patients on lower doses of the drug.

Serious extrapyramidal side effects were not seen at high doses. However, the majority of patients on haloperidol showed a deterioration in ward behaviour, possibly related to drowsiness, and developed raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels. These side effects disappeared in the follow-up period when either the drug was discontinued or the dose of haloperidol reduced.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists 1977 

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