Are Typical Doses of Haloperidol for Caucasians Appropriate for Asians?
J. Wong, PhD; M. Beiser, MD; R. Zipursky, MD; G. Bean, PhD This study investigates possible Asian-Caucasian differences with respect to the metabolism and central nervous system (CNS) effect of haloperidol in the treatment of first episode non-affective psychosis. The two-part study involved a 4-week active treatment phase and a 9-month follow-up. An attempt was made to control for other identified differences such as initial impairment, tolerance of symptoms, compliance, and medication side effects. Fifteen Asians and 16 Caucasians participated in the 4-week trial of treatment phase. Subjects were maintained on low oral doses of haloperidol (2 mg/day) for the first week of treatment. Doses were increased weekly to 5 mg, 10 mg, and finally 20 mg/day until the optimal therapeutic dose was achieved. This was defined as the point at which subjects 1) experienced significant clinical improvement or 2) developed extrapyramidal side effects. On average, the same dose (5 mg/day) was optimal f
