Abstract
The radioreceptor assay for neuroleptics represents a major advance in the rational approach to the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenic psychosis. The relative simplicity of the assay and its broad applicability to virtually all structural classes of neuroleptics recommend it as an approach accessible to most psychiatric clinics. However, much more information must be gathered about the relationship between therapeutic response and serum levels of different classes of neuroleptics. Preliminary results suggest that the clinically effective levels in patients treated with fluphenazine decanoate are significantly below 50 ng/ml CPZE, whereas patients receiving thioridazine develop considerably higher serum levels. In addition, certain symptoms may respond to different serum levels of neuroleptics; for example, we have found that symptoms of Tourette's syndrome are controlled at serum levels of neuroleptics that are approximately ten-fold lower than those required to manage the psychotic manifestations of schizophrenia.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 45-48 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Johns Hopkins Medical Journal |
Volume | 150 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 1982 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine