Total and free serum haloperidol levels in schizophrenic patients and the effect of age thioridazine and fatty acid on haloperidol-serum protein binding in vitro.

1 Using radioimmunoassays, steady-state levels of total and free haloperidol (obtained by ultrafiltration and dialysis) have been determined in twenty-two patients on long term treatment receiving doses from 3 to 45 mg per day. 2 For the group, both total serum concentration and free drug concentration showed significant correlations (P less than 0.001) with daily dose. 3 No significant correlation was observed between age of the patient and percentage free haloperidol in serum. 4 In vitro experiments using sera from twenty-three healthy volunteers showed significant negative correlations (P less than 0.01) between age and percentage free haloperidol. 5 Thioridazine and oleic acid significantly enhanced the percentage of free haloperidol in normal human sera in vitro.