A Multidose Study of Haloperidol Decanoate in the Maintenance Treatment of Schizophrenia

Abstract

The results of this study suggest that the 200-mg/month dose of haloperidol decanoate is associated with the lowest rate of symptomatic exacerbation (15%) with minimal increased risk of adverse effects or subjective discomfort in comparison to 100 or 50 mg. At the same time, the rates of worsening with 100 mg (23%) and 50 mg (25%) were not significantly greater than that seen with 200 mg. These results provide some guidance as to effective dose ranges of haloperidol decanoate.

The 2009 Schizophrenia PORT Psychopharmacological Treatment Recommendations and Summary Statements

“…Previous reviews and a recent study comparing rates of symptom exacerbation and side effects across 4 fixed doses of haloperidol decanoate support our recommendation of administering 50-200 mg of this medication once monthly. 1,51,52 In the study by Kane and colleagues, 52 rates of symptom exacerbation were significantly higher for participants randomized to monthly administration of 25 mg (60%) of haloperidol decanoate compared with those who received 50 (25%), 100 (23%), or 200 (15%). There were no differences in adverse effects, including EPS, among participants receiving the 3 higher doses of haloperidol decanoate.…”

Establishing a dose–response relationship for haloperidol decanoate

“…Third, criteria used to define relapse varied somewhat from one study to another: some used the administration of additional oral antipsychotics, some admission to hospital; others leaving the study early. Such variation is likely to have an important effect on data interpretation but the fixed dose study of Kane et al (2002) used the same relapse criteria for each dose and produced results broadly in line with the trend.…”

Leukopenia in a patient on haloperidol decanoate: a case report

“…4 The common side effects of haloperidol include sedation, weight gain, erectile dysfunction, and menstrual disturbances. 3 Blood dyscrasia is one of the uncommon side effects.…”