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A naturalistic comparison of the efficacy and safety of intramuscular olanzapine and intramuscular levomepromazine in agitated elderly patients with schizophrenia
Authors Suzuki H, Gen K, Matsumoto H
Received 30 June 2013
Accepted for publication 30 July 2013
Published 28 August 2013 Volume 2013:9 Pages 1281—1287
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S50754
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Hidenobu Suzuki,1 Keishi Gen2
1Department of Psychiatry, Suzuki Clinic, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Psychiatry, Seimo Hospital, Gunma, Japan
Background: There have not been any reports in Japan clarifying the efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) olanzapine and IM levomepromazine in agitated elderly patients with schizophrenia. This study was a comparative investigation of the clinical efficacy and safety of IM olanzapine and IM levomepromazine in agitated elderly patients with schizophrenia at 2 hours post-dose.
Methods: The subjects were 52 inpatients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV. Their clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component (PANSS-EC), PANSS, and Agitation Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES), and their safety was assessed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS), and glucose test.
Results: The PANSS-EC total score, the ACES score, and the glucose level significantly decreased from baseline in both the IM olanzapine group and the levomepromazine injection group; however, no between-group differences were observed. Mean change from baseline in the PANSS total score, positive score, the BARS score, and the DIEPSS total score was significantly greater in the IM olanzapine injection group compared with the levomepromazine injection group.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that agitated elderly patients rapidly respond to IM olanzapine and IM levomepromazine treatment. Furthermore, these results suggest that IM olanzapine is safer than IM levomepromazine and causes greater improvement in positive symptoms.
Keywords: intramuscular olanzapine, intramuscular levomepromazine, acute agitation, elderly schizophrenia, positive symptoms, safety
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