C H A P T E R 2 2
Psychotherapeutic agents
337
TABLE 22.1
DRUGS IN FOCUS Antipsychotic/neuroleptic drugs
Drug name
Potency
Common side effects
Usual dosage
Sedation Anticholinergic Hypotension Extrapyramidal
Typical antipsychotics
chlorpro
mazine
(Largactil)
Low
++++
+++
+++
++
Adult: 25 mg IM for
acute episode, may
be repeated; switch to
25–50 mg PO t.d.s
Paediatric: 0.5–1 mg/kg q
4–8 hours PO, IM or PR
fluphenazine
(Modecate)
High
+
+
+
++++
Adult: Initially, 12.5–25 mg
IM 4–6 weekly, up to
100 mg/dose
Geriatric: 1–2.5 mg/day
PO, adjust dose based on
response
haloperidol
(Serenace)
High
+
+/–
+
++++
Adult: 1–15 mg/day PO
Geriatric: 1–3 mg/day PO
Paediatric (3–12 years):
0.5 mg/day PO;
0.05–0.075 mg/kg per
day PO for Tourette’s
syndrome and
behavioural syndromes
pericyazine
(Neulactil)
Moderate +++
+++
++++
+
Adult: initially 75 mg/day in
divided doses, increased
at weekly intervals by
steps of 25 mg according
to response; usual
maximum 300 mg/day
Geriatric: initially 15–30
mg/day in divided doses
prochlorperazine
(Stemetil)
Low
+
++
+
+++
Adult: 5–10 mg PO t.d.s.
to q.i.d.; 10–20 mg IM for
acute states
Geriatric: reduce dose
Paediatric: 2.5 mg PO
t.d.s.; 0.03 mg/kg
IM for acute states;
20–25 mg/day PR
trifluoperazine
(Stelazine)
High
+
+
+
++++
Adult: 2–5 mg PO b.d.;
1–2 mg IM q 4–6 hours in
severe cases
Geriatric: reduce dose
Paediatric (6–12 years):
1 mg PO daily or b.d.:
1 mg IM daily or b.d. for
severe cases
zuclopenthixol
(Clopixol)
High
+++
+
+++
++++
Adult: 10–50 mg/day in
divided doses, increase if
necessary by 10–20 mg
every 2–3 days to 75 mg;
higher doses may be
required; usual mainte
nance for schizophrenia
and other psychoses,
20–40 mg/day
Geriatric or debilitated:
initially quarter to half
usual adult dose
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