The authors studied high-potency versus low-potency neuroleptic dosing
practices for 110 Boston-area psychiatric inpatients and compared the
findings with the dosing practices reported in surveys of nearly 16,000
Veterans Administration patients. Mean chlorpromazine equivalent doses for
the most common agents correlated strongly in both samples. Although
frequencies of lower doses of both types of agents were similar, doses of
potent drugs above the daily equivalent of 1 g of chlorpromazine accounted
for more than 40% of prescriptions. The mean chlorpromazine-equivalent dose
of popular potent agents (haloperidol or fluphenazine) was 3.54 times as
high as that of popular low-potency agents (chlorpromazine or
thioridazine). Potent agents are commonly used in mania and schizophrenia,
often in relatively high doses, which may carry an excess of risk over
unproven added benefit.Abstract Teaser