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Olanzapine response in psychotic depression
A J Rothschild1, K S Bates, K L Boehringer
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|March 20, 1999
Summary
Olanzapine shows promise in treating psychotic depression, with 67% of patients showing significant improvement compared to 27% on other antipsychotics. This atypical antipsychotic was well-tolerated and effective in this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Psychotic depression affects a significant portion of depressed patients.
- Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, has demonstrated efficacy in schizophrenia treatment.
- Its potential antidepressant effects warrant investigation in psychotic depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of olanzapine for treating psychotic depression.
- To compare olanzapine with other antipsychotics in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients diagnosed with DSM-IV psychotic depression.
- Comparison of 15 patients treated with olanzapine against 15 patients treated with other antipsychotics.
- Blind scoring of medical records for treatment response and side effects.
Main Results:
- 67% of patients on olanzapine showed significant improvement versus 27% on other antipsychotics (p = .037).
- Olanzapine was well-tolerated, with no discontinuations due to side effects.
- Two of three patients on olanzapine monotherapy or with valproate sodium showed marked improvement.
Conclusions:
- Olanzapine appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for psychotic depression.
- Further prospective studies are needed to confirm olanzapine's utility, alone or with antidepressants.