Comparison of Risperidone and Olanzapine Use in the Treatment of Inpatients with Schizophrenia

Chae, Jeong Ho; Yoon, Su Jung; Pae, Chi Un; Jun, Tae Youn; Park, Yoo Jin; Bahk, Won Myong; Kim, Kwang Soo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study was designed to compare the drug usage patterns and clinical outcomes of patients who received either risperidone or olanzapine in a naturalistic setting at a university hospital.
METHODS
Inpatients with schizophrenia given either risperidone or olanzapine, as a single oral antipsychotic drug during hospitalization were retrospectively investigated. Data on patients' age, sex, efficacy, duration of hospitalization, dosage, use of antiparkisonian drugs, cost of drugs, weight changes, and hepatotoxicity were collected.
RESULTS
Sixty patients, 30 patients for each group, were evaluated. No significant differences were observed between groups for age, sex, the duration of hospitalization, the degree to the improvement of Global Assessment of Functioning and weight gain. The mean daily antiparkinsonian medication use expressed in benztropine equivalents was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the olanzapine group (0.8 mg+/-0.9) than in the risperidone group (2.2 mg+/-0.8). For risperidone, the mean daily dose and associated cost at discharge were 5.6 (+/-1.1)mg and 765.6 (+/-144.9) won per day, whereas those for olanzapine were 15.8 (+/-4.0)mg and 1884.2 (+/-470.9) won per day (p<0.001). A mild increase of liver enzymes was found in both groups.
CONCLUSION
It appears from this study that both risperidone and olanzapine are relatively safe and effective in inpatients with schizophrenia. While olanzapine group shows a superior profile in the neurological side effects, risperidone group exhibits better profile in the daily cost of drug. Further controlled studies are recommended to confirm these findings.