A double-blind randomised comparative trial of amisulpride versus olanzapine for 2 months in the treatment of subjects with schizophrenia and comorbid depression.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of amisulpride and olanzapine in subjects with schizophrenia and comorbid depression in a randomised double-blind trial.


METHODS
Eighty-five adult patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and presenting a depressive episode were randomised to amisulpride (200-600 mg/day) or olanzapine (5-15 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Primary efficacy variables were change in Calgary Depression Scale (CDS) score and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) of Change. Safety was monitored by adverse event reporting and determination of extrapyramidal function and metabolic variables.


RESULTS
The mean change from baseline of CDS score was -6.84 in the amisulpride group and -7.36 in the olanzapine group. 65.9% and 61.5% of subjects, respectively, were considered "much" or "very much" improved. No significant inter-group difference in effect size was observed. The frequency of adverse events was low and emergence of extrapyramidal symptoms was not seen. Four patients in the olanzapine group developed abnormal triglyceride levels. Mean weight gain was 1.45 and 0.5 kg, respectively, in the olanzapine and amisulpride groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Amisulpride and olanzapine are effective in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid depression. Tolerance of both drugs was acceptable, although use of olanzapine was associated with a trend toward greater metabolic side-effects .
Vanelle
J-M
JM
Service de Psychiatrie, Hôpital Saint-Jacques, 85, rue Saint-Jacques, 44200 Nantes, France. jean-marie.vanelle@chu-nantes.fr
Douki
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D000077152:Olanzapine