Strategies of treatment with olanzapine in schizophrenic patients during stable phase: results of a pilot study.

Author(s): Rouillon F, Chartier F, Gasquet I

Affiliation(s): CMME, Hopital St Anne, Universite Paris V, France.

Publication date & source: 2008-09, Eur Neuropsychopharmacol., 18(9):646-52. Epub 2008 Jun 11.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: There is an ongoing debate regarding doses of antipsychotic in stable schizophrenia patients. This French pilot study was undertaken to estimate two strategies of treatment with olanzapine in stable phase - maintenance of the acute dose or dose reduction. METHOD: 6 months open, randomized trial comparing two strategies of treatment with olanzapine in 97 schizophrenia stabilized outpatients. RESULTS: Mean daily doses at 6 months in the olanzapine full dose (OFD) and reduction dose (ORD) groups were respectively 18.1 mg and 13.3 mg. 4 patients (8%) relapsed in the ORD group versus 3 (6%) in the OFD group. A secondary analysis reflecting more real life setting showed a numerically higher rate of relapse in the dose reduction group (20% versus 10%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that maintenance treatment with olanzapine, beyond 4 months, with the same dose that was effective acutely could be useful to prevent new psychiatric hospitalization.