Inpatient violence and the schizophrenic patient: an inverse correlation between danger-related events and neuroleptic levels.

A correlational analysis of neuroleptic serum levels and measures of inpatient violence in 58 male schizophrenic patients is presented. Significant correlations were found between thiothixene (Navane) serum levels and several measures of inpatient violence including assault. The large variance noted with serum levels of neuroleptics on fixed doses may account for patients who have lower serum levels receiving less control of psychotic symptoms which may lead to violent behavior.