Olanzapine, risperidone and haloperidol in the treatment of adolescent patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the drug response and side effects of adolescents with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol.


METHODS
Forty-three patients were treated with olanzapine (n = 19), risperidone (n = 17) and haloperidol (n = 7) for 8 weeks in an open clinical trial. Clinical improvement was evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and side effects with the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale.


RESULTS
Significant clinical improvement was observed by week 4 for all medications. Olanzapine and haloperidol induced fatigability more frequently than risperidone. Haloperidol was associated with a higher frequency of depression and more severe extrapyramidal symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in adolescents to compare the efficacy and side effects of three most commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications. Olanzapine, risperidone and haloperidol appear to be equally effective for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescent inpatients but have different side effect profiles.
Gothelf
D
D
Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel.
Apter
A
A
Reidman
J
J
Brand-Gothelf
A
A
Bloch
Y
Y
Gal
G
G
Kikinzon
L
L
Tyano
S
S
Weizman
R
R
Ratzoni
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D006220:Haloperidol; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine; D018967:Risperidone; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors