The impact of olanzapine on tardive dyskinetic symptoms in a state hospital population.
BACKGROUND
Tardive dyskinesia is a serious adverse event, which is associated mainly with the use of the first-generation antipsychotic agents. Convergent data from clinical trials suggest that second-generation antipsychotic agents are less likely to cause tardive dyskinesia. However, the data with regard to the effect of switching from first- to second-generation antipsychotic agents on pre-existing dyskinetic symptoms during routine clinical care is sparse.


METHODS
Sixty-three patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 61) or bipolar I disorder (n = 2) consecutively admitted to a state hospital, who were treated either with olanzapine (n = 35) or conventional antipsychotic agents (n = 28) by physician choice, were enrolled in the study. The severity and frequency of tardive dyskinetic symptoms using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were assessed in the two medication groups at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant reductions in the prevalence and severity of dyskinetic symptoms at 8 weeks and 6 months for the group treated with olanzapine but not for those treated with conventional agents.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that olanzapine may be a treatment option for subjects with tardive dyskinesia. However, the question whether olanzapine treats, ameliorates, or masks preexisting tardive dyskinesia was difficult to answer, as no dosage reduction or withdrawal was undertaken.
Brar
Jaspreet S
JS
School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. brarjs@upmc.edu
Parepally
Haranath
H
Chalasani
Lokaranjit
L
Gopalani
Aziz
A
Appel
Nicole
N
Chengappa
K N Roy
KN
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine