A simple switching strategy for inadequately treated patients with schizophrenia to olanzapine: changes in psychopathology and subjective well-being.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of abruptly switching inadequately treated psychotic outpatients from another oral antipsychotic to olanzapine and to evaluate subjective well-being under olanzapine.


METHODS
Previous medication was switched to olanzapine 10 mg/day and continued for 4 weeks (5-20 mg/day). Successful switch was predefined as no change or any improvement on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale after one week. A successful switch rate of > or = 70 % was considered a positive study outcome. Well-being was evaluated using the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics (SWN) scale.


RESULTS
198 patients (100 %) were switched to olanzapine. In 177 patients (89 %), CGI-I was unchanged (29 %) or improved (60 %) after one week of olanzapine treatment, indicating a positive study outcome (p < 0.001). SWN total score significantly improved from 127.9 (+/- 32.5) at baseline to 139.2 (+/- 31.5) at week 1, continuing to 149.3 (+/- 30.3) at week 4 (LOCF).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that an abrupt switch from another antipsychotic to olanzapine 10 mg/day can be performed successfully in psychotic patients, while rapidly improving subjective well-being.
Kluge
M
M
Lilly Deutschland GmbH, Medical Department, Bad Homburg, Germany. kluge@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Wehmeier
P M
PM
Dittmann
R W
RW
Langer
F
F
Czekalla
J
J
Lehmann
M
M
Kessler
F H
FH
Beyenburg
S
S
Naber
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine