ADVERSE-EFFECTS OF ZOTEPINE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF THE DRUG AND PROLACTIN

Adverse effects of zotepine, an antipsychotic drug, and their relation ship to serum concentrations of the drug and prolactin were investigat ed in 28 schizophrenic in-patients. The daily dose was 100 mg during t he first week and 200 mg during the next 3 weeks. Adverse effects were evaluated by the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale (21 items). The mean (/-SD) total UKU score at the end of the study was 3.1 +/- 2.5, indicat ing mild adverse effects. The scores of psychic adverse effects at 2 w eeks and total adverse effects at 3 and 4 weeks were significantly hig her in nonresponders than in responders (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant inverse correlation between percent improvement in total Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores and total UKU score s at 4 weeks (p < 0.05). These results suggest a relationship between poor clinical response and increased adverse effects during zotepine t reatment. Only the scores of akathisia at 2 weeks showed a significant ly positive correlation with serum zotepine concentrations (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between prolactin response and neurological adverse effects.