Is it worth while changing clinically stable schizophrenic out-patients with mild to moderate residual symptoms and/or side effects from conventional to atypical antipsychotics? A prospective, randomised study with olanzapine.
Fifty clinically stable, schizophrenic outpatients, suffering from residual schizophrenic symptoms and/or neurological side effects, were randomised to either continue their conventional neuroleptic(s) or change it to olanzapine. After 12 weeks patients on olanzapine exhibited significant improvement in neurological side effects and psychotic symptomatology as compared to patients on conventional antipsychotics.
Appelberg
Björn
B
Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, POB 590, 00029 Hus, Finland. bjorn.appelberg@helsinki.fi
Tuisku
Katinka
K
Joffe
Grigori
G
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine; D002746:Chlorpromazine