Long-acting injectable risperidone v. olanzapine tablets for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Randomised, controlled, open-label study.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable risperidone have not been compared with those of an oral atypical antipsychotic.


OBJECTIVE
To compare long-acting risperidone and oral olanzapine in 377 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.


METHODS
Patients were randomised to receive long-acting risperidone (25 mg or 50 mg every 14 days) or olanzapine (5-20 mg/day).


RESULTS
In the 13-week phase, long-acting risperidone was at least as effective as (not inferior to) oral olanzapine. In the 12-month phase, significant improvements in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and factor scores from baseline to month 12 and end-point were seen in both groups of patients. Few patients discontinued treatment because of an adverse event.


CONCLUSIONS
Both treatments were efficacious and well tolerated.
Keks
Nicholas A
NA
Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Monah University, Australia. Nicholas.keks@med.monash.edu.au
Ingham
Michael
M
Khan
Akbar
A
Karcher
Keith
K
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013607:Tablets; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013607:Tablets; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine