Findings related to effectiveness ( treatment discontinuation , quality of life , and neurocognitive improvements ) were generally consistent with those observed in non-Chinese population s. No new safety signals specific for Chinese population s were raised for olanzapine .
Chinese and non-Chinese population s with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder treated with olanzapine display broadly similar responses .
BACKGROUND Despite the burden of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the Chinese population , country-specific data to guide practitioners regarding antipsychotic therapy are lacking .
Ziprasidone vs olanzapine in recent-onset schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: results of an 8-week double-blind randomized controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION Head-to-head comparisons of antipsychotics have predominantly included patients with chronic conditions . The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone and olanzapine in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia . METHODS The study was an 8-week , double-blind , parallel-group , r and omized , controlled multicenter trial ( NCT00145444 ) . Seventy-six patients with schizophreniform disorder , schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder ( diagnosis < 5 y ) , and a maximum lifetime antipsychotic treatment < 16 weeks participated in the study . Efficacy of ziprasidone ( 80 - 160 mg/d ) and olanzapine 10 - 20 mg was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale ( PANSS ) , the Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) Scale , the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia ( CDSS ) , and the Heinrich Quality of Life Scale ( HQLS ) ; tolerability assessment s included laboratory assessment s , body weight , and electroencephalogram . RESULTS Olanzapine ( n = 34 ) and ziprasidone ( n = 39 ) showed equal efficacy as measured by the PANSS , CDSS , CGI , and HQLS . However , mean weight gain was significantly higher in the olanzapine group ( 6.8 vs 0.1 kg , P < .001 ) . Ziprasidone was associated with decreasing levels of triglycerides , cholesterol , and transaminases , while these parameters increased in the olanzapine group ( all P values < .05 ) . There were no significant differences in fasting glucose and prolactin levels or in cardiac or sexual side effects . Patients on ziprasidone used biperiden for extrapyramidal side effects more frequently ( P < .05 ) . DISCUSSION The results of this study indicate that ziprasidone and olanzapine have comparable therapeutic efficacy but differ in their side effect profile . However , there is a risk of a type II error with this sample size . Clinical ly significant weight gain and laboratory abnormalities appear early after initiating treatment and are more prominent with olanzapine , while more patients on ziprasidone received anticholinergic drugs to treat extrapyramidal symptoms
Findings related to effectiveness ( treatment discontinuation , quality of life , and neurocognitive improvements ) were generally consistent with those observed in non-Chinese population s. No new safety signals specific for Chinese population s were raised for olanzapine .
Chinese and non-Chinese population s with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder treated with olanzapine display broadly similar responses .
BACKGROUND Despite the burden of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the Chinese population , country-specific data to guide practitioners regarding antipsychotic therapy are lacking .