Relationship between serum concentration and clinical efficacy of quetiapine in treatment of male patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective To examine the relationship between quetiapine serum concentration, dose, therapeutic efficacy and side effects in male patients with schizophrenia. Methods Sixty- three male patients with schizophrenia were collected. They were treated openly for 8 weeks with quetiapine, the dose was adjusted according to clinical improvement and tolerance. The plasma quetiapine concentrations, therapeutic efficacy and adverse drug reactions were observed after the 4- week treatment period, and at the end of the 8 weeks of the treatment. Results After 4 weeks, the serum concentration had significant correlation with age, the disease duration and education level.After 8 weeks, there was significant correlation between serum concentration and age. We found a correlation between dose and serum concentration of quetiapine, and no relationship between serum concentration and PANSSscores. Side effects were correlated with 4 weeks'serum concentrations. Conclusion Quetiapine is effective for male patients with schizophrenia. Age, quetiapine dose and side effects have significant correlations with the serum concentration. It appears that plasma quetiapine concentration has no effects on therapeutic efficacy. Key words: Schizophrenia; Plasma concentration; Quetiapine