Olanzapine in the treatment of agitation in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective and schizofreniform disorders

• Published in: Medical science monitor Vol. 10; no. 5; p. PI74
• Main Authors: Turczyński, Jacek, Bidzan, Leszek, Staszewska-Małys, Ewa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-05-2004
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Benzodiazepines - therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychomotor Agitation - drug therapy; Psychotic Disorders - drug therapy; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Time Factors
• ISSN: 1234-1010

Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic with proven therapeutic effect, though it is rarely used in agitated patients. This study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a 20-mg initial dose of olanzapine to control agitation of hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective and schizofreniform disorders.
A group of 95 patients aged 18-65 years was observed for 7 days. Effectiveness was assessed according to the CGI and PANSS (including the positive and negative symptoms and excitement subscale PANSS-EC) scales. Adverse events were also recorded.
Two therapeutic groups were distinguished: patients treated with olanzapine alone (OLZ) and those whose condition necessitated at least one administration of benzodiazepines (OLZ + BZ). Although these groups differed with respect to baseline symptom severity, improvement was similar. In the OLZ group, improvement according to the CGI scale was observed after 2 h and persisted to the end of the study. In the OLZ + BZ group there was improvement after 1 h, but not after 2 h. Significant improvement reappeared after 6 h and persisted. Improvement measured by the PANSS-EC scale was noted in the OLZ group after 2 h and in the OLZ + BZ group after 6 h, persisting in both groups from the 12th hr to the end of the observation.
Olanzapine is an antipsychotic which, used alone or in combination with benzodiazepines, is effective and well tolerated in treatment of agitation in schizophrenic patients. Further studies are warranted.