A double-blind, randomised comparative trial of amisulpride versus olanzapine in the treatment of schizophrenia: short-term results at two months.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of the atypical antipsychotics amisulpride and olanzapine in the treatment of acute psychotic exacerbations of schizophrenia.


METHODS
A multinational, double-blind randomised clinical trial.


METHODS
Three hundred and seventy-seven patients with predominantly positive symptomatology were treated for six months with either amisulpride (200-800 mg/d) or olanzapine (5-20 mg/d).


METHODS
Short-term results were analysed after two months of treatment. The primary efficacy measure was the change of score on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Other measures of efficacy and safety were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Psychotic symptoms, as measured on the BPRS score, improved with both treatments, amisulpride being equivalent to olanzapine. All BPRS factor scores, as well as depressive symptoms, improved to a similar extent with both treatments. Less than five per cent of patients withdrew for adverse events, and there was no evidence for the emergence of extrapyramidal symptoms with either treatment. Statistically significant greater weight gain (2.7 +/- 3.9 kg) was observed during the study in the olanzapine group, compared with the amisulpride group (0.9 +/- 3.2 kg, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Amisulpride and olanzapine show equivalent efficacy at 2 months in the treatment of acute psychotic exacerbations of schizophrenia. Amisulpride offers a significant advantage in preserving body weight.
Martin
Stephen
S
Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Verdun, Quebec, Canada. profsmartin@hotmail.com
Lĵo
Henri
H
Peuskens
Joseph
J
Thirumalai
Srinivasa
S
Giudicelli
Agnes
A
Fleurot
Odile
O
Rein
Werner
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077582:Amisulpride; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013469:Sulpiride