Effects of carbamazepine and valproate on haloperidol plasma levels and on psychopathologic outcome in schizophrenic patients

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1999 Aug;19(4):310-5. doi: 10.1097/00004714-199908000-00005.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate (VPA) cotreatment on the plasma levels of haloperidol and on the psychopathologic outcome in schizophrenic disorders. In this controlled clinical trial, 27 patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia (N = 24) or schizoaffective disorder (N = 3) were randomly assigned to receive 4 weeks of treatment with either haloperidol alone, haloperidol with CBZ, or haloperidol with VPA. Whereas the haloperidol dose remained stable, the antiepileptic drug doses were adjusted to achieve therapeutic plasma levels. Clinical state was rated by the Positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Inpatient Multidimensional Psychiatric Scale. The use of CBZ was associated with significantly lower haloperidol plasma levels and with a worse clinical outcome compared with antipsychotic monotherapy. VPA had no significant effect on either plasma levels or on psychopathology. Our results suggest that comedication with haloperidol and CBZ is associated with a high risk for treatment failure. This might be a result of a pharmacokinetic interaction on the hepatic level. The concomitant use of VPA with neuroleptic therapy is not impaired by clinically significant drug interactions, but it is not associated with a better outcome under our conditions.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antimanic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antimanic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Carbamazepine / administration & dosage*
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / administration & dosage
  • Haloperidol / adverse effects
  • Haloperidol / pharmacokinetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate / drug effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotic Disorders / blood
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology
  • Schizophrenia / blood
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Valproic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Carbamazepine
  • Valproic Acid
  • Haloperidol