Olanzapine compared to quetiapine in adolescents with a first psychotic episode.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of olanzapine and quetiapine in adolescents with first episode psychosis.


METHODS
Fifty adolescents (age 16 +/- 1.25) with a first episode of psychosis were randomized to quetiapine or olanzapine in a 6-month open label study. Efficacy and side effect scales, as well as vital signs and laboratory data were recorded at baseline, 7, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days (end of study).


RESULTS
Out of the total sample included in the study, 32 patients completed the trial (quetiapine n = 16, olanzapine n = 16). Patients in both treatment groups had a significant reduction in all clinical scales with the exception of the negative scale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) for olanzapine and the general psychopathology scale of the PANSS for quetiapine. The only difference between treatment arms on the clinical scales was observed on the patients' strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) scale, with greater improvement for olanzapine. Patients on olanzapine gained 15.5 kg and patients on quetiapine gained 5.5 kg.


CONCLUSIONS
Olanzapine and quetiapine reduced psychotic symptoms in this adolescent sample. Patients on olanzapine gained significantly more weight. Side effects with both drugs seemed to be more prevalent than those reported in adult studies.
Arango
Celso
C
Psychiatry Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain. carango@mce.hggm.es
Robles
Olalla
O
Parellada
Mara
M
Fraguas
David
D
Ruiz-Sancho
Ana
A
Medina
Oscar
O
Zabala
Arantzazu
A
Bombín
Igor
I
Moreno
Dolores
D
D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D000077152:Olanzapine