Higher than usual dosage of haloperidol: a pilot study in 'back ward' schizophrenics

A study was carried out in 39 severe, chronic psychotic patients of the effect of rapidly increasing and larger than usual doses of haloperidol in bringing about an improvement in their condition. Symptoms clearly improved in 10 patients. No improvement was observed in the other 29. However, such a success rate with chemotherapy alone, achieved under conditions where occupational or group therapy could not be given, clearly demonstrates the value of such drug administration. Haloperidol has proved to be remarkably safe in this high dose regimen. It should certainly form an integral part of the more comprehensive therapy programmes of the future.