Plasma levels and clinical effects of thioridazine and thiothixene.

The effects of thioridazine and thiothixene were studied by a double-blind technique on 40 schizophrenic patients. The doses were adjusted for optimal clinical and therapeutic effects and side effects were rated after three and eight weeks of treatment. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two drugs or between either of the two drugs and the previous medication. Plasma levels were estimated by a fluorometric technique after three and eight weeks of treatment. No correlation was found between plasma levels and clinical effects for either thioridazine or thiothixene. Plasma levels of both drugs were clearly correlated to dosage after three weeks of treatment. After eight weeks this correlation persisted for thioridazine but not for thiothixene. By that time plasma levels of thiothixene had decreased to about 30 per cent of the initial value, indicating strong enzyme induction.