Experience of application of olanzapine - an atypical neuroleptic in acuteschizophrenia

Thirty adult patients with acute schizophrenia were included into six-week open-labelled, non-comparative trial of olanzapine with free dosing from 5 to 20 mg per day. For assessment of efficacy and safety of the treatment PA NSS, BPRS, CGL and ESRS scales were used. The main criterion of improvement was the percentage of reduction of BPRS score to the end of the trial. Mor e than 50% reduction was achieved in 23% of the patients, more than 20% - i n 57% of the cases; 20% were non-responders (reduction less than 20%). Chan ges in the scores of the positive and negative PANSS subscales were signifi cant (p<0,001) starting from the second week of treatment. There was no cor relation in changes in positive and negative scores as well as in changes i n negative and ESRS scores. The first signs of the antipsychotic effect (a reduction of tension, suspiciousness and fear) appeared just in the first t wo weeks of treatment and manifested in the reduction of delusions and hall ucinations. Reduction of depression didn't correlate with changes in scores of the positive or negative PANSS subscales. The changes in behavioral and cognitive symptoms were statistically significant starting from the second week of treatment. No clinically significant signs of extrapiramidal syndr ome or other side-effects except weight gain were observed during the trial .