Abstract
Methodologically adequate clinical dose-response studies with antipsychotic compounds are reviewed. A number of consistent findings have emerged. Treatment resistant schizophrenics, and schizophrenics under 40, hospitalized less than 10 years often benefit from high or very high doses of antipsychotics. Low dose treatment is to be considered for apathetic or depressed schizophrenics who are not floridly psychotic. Placebo or no medication is optimal for a hitherto not well defined subgroup. The usual clinical dose range appears to be most therapeutic for the remaining schizophrenic populations, probably including most out-patients. Methodological problems encountered in dose-response studies and clinical problems in posology are discussed.
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Partially supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, Grant No. MH-16128.
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Gardos, G., Cole, J.O. & Orzack, M.H. The importance of dosage in antipsychotic drug administration — A review of dose-response studies. Psychopharmacologia 29, 221–230 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00414036
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00414036