Investigators publish new data in the report 'A randomised controlled study of risperidone and olanzapine for schizophrenic patients with neuroleptic-induced acute dystonia or parkinsonism.' According to recent research from Taoyuan, Taiwan, "The objective of this study was to compare the effects of risperidone and olanzapine in schizophrenic patients with intolerant extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) on first generation antipsychotics. We conducted an 8-week, rater-blinded, flexible dose study."

"Seventy patients with schizophrenia, who met the DSM-IV research criteria of having neuroleptic-induced acute dystonia or parkinsonism, were randomly assigned to risperidone or olanzapine group. The primary outcome was a comparison of the incidence of concomitant anticholinergic drugs usage between the groups to manage their acute dystonia and parkinsonism. The average doses of risperidone and olanzapine from baseline to study end point were 1.8-3.5 mg/day and 7.7-11.7 mg/day, respectively. There were no significant differences in demographic data, severity of EPS or psychotic symptoms between the groups at baseline assessment. Patients taking risperidone had significantly higher incidence of using anticholinergic drugs to manage acute dystonia or parkinsonism overall during the study (OR=5.17, 95%CI=1.49-17.88, p=0.013). There was no significant between-group difference in the changing of rating scales of EPS and psychotic symptoms. The results of our study favour olanzapine as a better choice in schizophrenic patients with intolerant EPS," wrote H.Y. Chan and colleagues, (see also Schizophrenia Therapy).

The researchers concluded: "Double-blinded, fixed dose and different ethnical study for EPS-intolerant schizophrenic patients is needed to confirm the results of our study."

Chan and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology (A randomised controlled study of risperidone and olanzapine for schizophrenic patients with neuroleptic-induced acute dystonia or parkinsonism. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2010;24(1):91-8).

For additional information, contact H.Y. Chan, Taoyuan Mental Hospital, Dept. of General Psychiatry, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Psychopharmacology is: SAGE Publications, USA , 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.