Adult Dose
Oral
Schizophrenia
2 mg/day initially; may be increased in increments of 1-2 mg/day at intervals >24 hours
Recommended target dosage: 2-8 mg/day once daily or divided q12hr (efficacy follows bell-shaped curve; 4-8 mg/day more effective than 12-16 mg/day)
Bipolar Mania
2-3 mg/day initially; may be increased if necessary in increments of 1 mg/day at intervals of 24 hours to 6 mg/day; dosage recommendations not available for treatment duration >3 weeks
Tourette Syndrome
0.5-1 mg/day PO; may be increased or decreased in increments of 0.5 mg q12hr at intervals >3 days; not to exceed 6 mg/day
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
0.5-8 mg/day PO
Elderly: Initially, 0.5 mg bid gradually increased in increments of 0.5 mg bid. Maintenance: 1-2 mg bid.
Hepatic impairment: Initially, 0.5 mg bid, may increase in steps of 0.5 mg bid, up to 1-2 mg bid.
Dose increments above 1.5 mg bid should be made at intervals of at least 1 wk.
Side Effect
>10%
Somnolence (40-45%),Insomnia (26-30%),Agitation (20-25%),Anxiety (10-15%),Headache (10-15%),Rhinitis (10-15%),Fatigue (18-31%),Parkinsonism (28-62%),Akathisia (5-11%),Increased appetite (4-44%),Vomiting (10-20%),Drooling (<12%),Urinary incontinence (5-22%),Tremor (11-24%),Nasopharyngitis (4-19%),Rhinorrhea (4-12%),Enuresis (1-16%)
1-10%
Constipation (5-10%),Dyspepsia (5-10%),Nausea (5-10%),Abdominal pain (1-5%),Aggressive reaction (1-5%),Facial edema (<4%),QT prolongation (<4%),Dizziness (1-5%),Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS; 1-5%),Gynecomastia in children (1-5%),Rash (1-5%),Tachycardia (1-5%),Syncope (1-2%),Bradycardia (<4%),Palpitation (<4%),Chest pain (<4%),Agitation (<4%),Postural dizziness (<4%),Pruritus (<4%),Acne (1-2%),Hyperprolactinemia (<4%),Sexual dysfunction (<4%),Xerostomia (7-10%)
<1%
Agranulocytosis,Cholesterol increased,Delirium,Ketoacidosis,Orthostatic hypotension,Seizures
Frequency Not Defined
Diabetes mellitus,Hyperthermia,Hypoglycemia,Hypothermia,Myelosuppression,Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS),Priapism,Prolonged QT interval,Tardive dyskinesia,Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP),Sleep apnea syndrome,Urinary retention
Potentially Fatal: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome may occur rarely; seizures. May cause increased mortality in elderly with dementia-related psychosis.