[Therapy of acute schizophrenic attacks. High dosage haloperidol therapy compared with a two component treatment]

In a controlled open study 18 patients were treated with high doses of haloperidol (Haldol-Janssen) from 50 to 100 mg daily and 15 patients with a combined therapy of 10 mg haloperidol and 150 to 300 mg levomepromazin (Neurocil). The high-dosed sample a significantly rapid decrease of the productive symptoms and improvement of the general condition were found. The medians of the rating scales and self-rating scales showed similar courses. Within the high-dosage group especially after the beginning of therapy, there was an unexpected significant increase in extrapyramidal signs (dyskinesias), which did not appear any more after starting with an initial dose of at least 50 mg Haldol-Janssen. Other side effects could not be found, the tolerance was good.