title: A naturalistic comparison study of the efficacy and safety of intramuscular olanzapine, intramuscular haloperidol, and intramuscular levomepromazine in acute agitated patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was a comparative investigation of the clinical efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) olanzapine, IM haloperidol, and IM levomepromazine in acute agitated patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 122 inpatients. Their clinical symptoms were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component (PANSS-EC), PANSS, and Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale, and their safety were assessed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), and Drug-induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean changes from baseline on the PANSS-EC, Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, BARS, and DIEPSS scores were significantly better in both IM olanzapine and IM levomepromazine than in IM haloperidol. Of these, the mean changes from baseline on the BARS and DIEPSS scores were significantly better in IM olanzapine than in IM levomepromazine. The mean change from baseline on the PANSS positive score was significantly better in both IM olanzapine and IM haloperidol than in IM levomepromazine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest the possibility that the anti-agitation effects of IM olanzapine and IM levomepromazine are more rapid than those of IM haloperidol. No worsening of EPS was observed. Our results also suggest that compared with IM levomepromazine, IM olanzapine is safer and affords greater improvement in symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Suzuki Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidenobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Keishi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gen
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008728:Methotrimeprazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008728:Methotrimeprazine; D006220:Haloperidol; D000077152:Olanzapine
keywords: efficacy; intramuscular haloperidol; intramuscular levomepromazine; intramuscular olanzapine; safety