Plasma lipid peroxide and serum vitamin E levels in subjects taking antipsychotic drugs

Fourteen non-schizophrenic subjects were identified in a group general practice as taking antipsychotic medication. They were matched with a control group on age, gender and smoking status. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma lipid peroxide, serum vitamin E and cholesterol and vitamin E:cholesterol ratios. The majority of subjects were taking thioridazine (mean daily dose 42 mg, range 20-100 mg). There were no statistically significant differences between subjects and controls in any of the laboratory measures. The results in this small study therefore do not support the hypothesis that a possible source of increased free radical activity in schizophrenic patients is antipsychotic medication.