Effect of olanzapine and risperidone on subjective well-being and craving for cannabis in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether subjective well-being and craving for cannabis were different in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders treated with either olanzapine or risperidone.


METHODS
A 6-week, double-blind, randomized trial of olanzapine and risperidone was carried out in 128 young adults with recent onset schizophrenia or related disorders. Primary efficacy measures were the mean baseline-to-endpoint change in total scores on the Subjective Well-Being under Neuroleptics scale, the Obsessive-Compulsive Drug Use Scale, the Drug Desire Questionnaire, and the cannabis use self-report. An analysis of covariance was used to test between-group differences.


RESULTS
Estimated D(2) receptor occupancy did not differ between olanzapine (n = 63) and risperidone (n = 65). Similar improvements in subjective well-being were found in both groups. In the comorbid cannabis-using group (n = 41, 32%), a similar decrease in craving for cannabis was found in both treatment conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Both olanzapine and risperidone were associated with improved subjective well-being. No evidence was found for a differential effect of olanzapine or risperidone on subjective experience or on craving for cannabis in dosages leading to comparable dopamine D(2) occupancy.


BACKGROUND
ISRCTN46365995.
van Nimwegen
Lonneke J
LJ
Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.vannimwegen@erasmumc.nl
de Haan
Lieuwe
L
van Beveren
Nico Jm
NJ
van der Helm
Mischa
M
van den Brink
Wim
W
Linszen
Don
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000077152:Olanzapine; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine