title: Dissolution profile, tolerability, and acceptability of the orally disintegrating olanzapine tablet in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study investigates the dissolution profile, tolerability, and acceptability of an orally disintegrating olanzapine tablet in patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with schizophrenia stabilized on oral olanzapine (mean dosage 12.7 mg daily [SD5.2]) were given an orally disintegrating olanzapine tablet, rather than their usual tablet, daily for 7 days. At each visit, visual assessments were made for elapsed time to initial disintegration (every 15 seconds) and complete disintegration (every 1 minute). At the end of the study, patients completed a drug-acceptance questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean time to initial disintegration was 15.78 seconds, and mean time to complete disintegration was 0.97 minutes. All patients found the orally disintegrating tablet acceptable and expressed positive comments. Nonserious clinically significant adverse events, asthenia, purpuric rash, headache, depression, and insomnia (preexisting, except for asthenia and insomnia) were reported in 3 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The orally disintegrating olanzapine tablet disintegrates rapidly and is a well-tolerated and acceptable alternative to standard olanzapine tablets in patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. pchue@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chue
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Cindy C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dickson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001682:Biological Availability; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine