Fluphenazine levels during maintenance treatment of recent-onset schizophrenia: relation to side effects, psychosocial function and depression

Rationale: The utility of fluphenazine levels during maintenance treatment of schizophrenia is still unclear Objectives: This study investigated the r elationship between fluphenazine levels and a variety of clinical measures during maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. Methods: Fluphenazine levels , side effects, depression and psychosocial outcome were measured at five t ime points over approximately 1 year in 59 recent onset schizophrenic patie nts treated with a maintenance dose of injectable fluphenazine decanoate. N egative symptoms were evaluated at the 1-year endpoint. Results: Fluphenazi ne levels showed mt;ked intraindividual variability even when measurements were restricted to the second 6 months of treatment, by which time steady s tate levels should have been achieved. No consistent relationship was found between fluphenazine levels and any of the outcome measures. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that fluphenazine plasma levels do not ro utinely add relevant clinical information beyond that of dose in evaluating potential side effects or negative consequences during maintenance treatme nt with the decanoate form of the medication.