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.
Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Monah University, Australia. Nicholas.keks@med.monash.edu.au
Nicholas A
NA
Keks
Michael
M
Ingham
Akbar
A
Khan
Keith
K
Karcher
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