Haloperidol concentrations elevated in Chinese patients

After 6 weeks of fixed dose oral haloperidol treatment. Chinese schizophrenic patients (in the People's Republic of China) had 52% higher plasma haloperidol concentrations than U.S. non-Asian schizophrenic patients. Chinese and U.S. patients were matched for sex and body weight. The difference in plasma drug concentrations may explain why Asians are reported to require smaller dosages of neuroleptic drugs than non-Asians, and why they may be more sensitive to neuroleptic-induced side effects. When prescribing haloperidol to persons of Asian ancestry, physicians should consider that higher than expected plasma haloperidol concentrations and an increased sensitivity to haloperidol may occur.

The long-acting Ocusert-pilocarpine system in the management of glaucoma

The Ocusert-pilocarpine devides with seven days' therapeutic duration were compared with pilocarpine eye drops for efficacy and ocular tolerance in the management of glaucoma in 16 patients. Magnitude of pressure reduction with release rates of 20 mcg. and 40 mcg. of pilocarpine per hour were as effective in the treatment of glaucoma as 2 per cent and 4 per cent pilocarpine eye drops, respectively. Ocular tolerance and retention in the human eyes were good. There were no appreciable side effects other than the occasional sudden leakage phenomenon encountered. Further refinement of the Ocusert-pilocarpine device to reduce the incidence of leakage would not only ensure precision in the rate of drug release, but would also expand its clinical application.