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Clinical trial response and dropout rates with olanzapine versus risperidone

Benedetta Santarlasci1, Andrea Messori

  • 1Pharmacoeconomic Laboratory, Italian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|March 28, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Olanzapine showed lower treatment discontinuation rates than risperidone in schizophrenia patients. Both antipsychotics had identical response rates, but olanzapine demonstrated better maintenance of remission.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Schizophrenia treatment effectiveness comparison is crucial.
  • Olanzapine and risperidone are commonly used antipsychotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare treatment dropout and response rates between olanzapine and risperidone.
  • To evaluate the relative effectiveness of these two antipsychotics in clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1966-May 2002).
  • Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and clinical studies was performed.
  • Odds ratios were calculated using a fixed-effect model.

Main Results:

  • Treatment discontinuation was significantly higher for risperidone (42%) compared to olanzapine (33%).
  • Response rates were identical for both olanzapine and risperidone.
  • Olanzapine showed a slightly better pattern for maintaining response.

Conclusions:

  • Olanzapine appears to have a better dropout and remission maintenance profile than risperidone.
  • These findings suggest differences in patient adherence and long-term management between the two drugs.

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