title: "Long-acting" olanzapine in maintenance therapy of schizophrenia: A study with plasma levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This prospective study was performed to evaluate clinical efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine long-acting injection (OLZ-LAI) and the relation between OLZ plasma level (PL) and the clinical outcome in maintenance therapy of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five chronic schizophrenic outpatients with age ranging from 18 to 65 years were included in this 9-month study. Patients were given a dosage of either 210 or 300 or 405 mg of OLZ-LAI every 28 days. Patients were evaluated at baseline and every four weeks by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS); at the same time, PL of OLZ was determined. The metabolic profile (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and glucose levels) was analyzed every two months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BPRS and total PANSS showed a statistically significant improvement from T2 with a clinical stabilization of psychopathological picture. PL ranged from 4.0 to 78.9 ng/ml (mean 20.59 ng/ml ± 14.66 standard deviation). The coefficient of variation of PLs was related to clinical stabilization. No post-injection delirium sedation syndrome occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data reveal the efficacy of OLZ-LAI in maintenance treatment of schizophrenia at lower dosages also in comparison with that of oral therapy. OLZ-LAI seems to be useful for guaranteeing constant PL of the drug. A lesser variation of PL was the most predictable factor associated with maintenance of clinical benefit.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maffini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Pace
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reggiori
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paletta
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moliterno
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rovera
authors.forename: Carlo A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Altamura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine
keywords: Long-acting olanzapine; olanzapine depot; plasma levels; schizophrenia