The authors gave 48 newly admitted schizophrenic patients an initial
test dose (2.2 mg/kg) of chlorpromazine hydrochloride and additional doses
at 24 and 36 hours. Clinical response was measured at 48 hours and at the
end of subsequent treatment with a fixed dose (6.6 mg/kg) of
chlorpromazine. There was a consistent correlation between 48-hour change
and the eventual amount of improvement by the end of drug treatment for all
10 outcome criteria. The authors conclude that change early on in drug
treatment is a useful predictor of outcome.Abstract Teaser