Olanzapine treatment of eight adolescent patients with psychosis.

Although olanzapine is known as a widely used atypical antipsychotic there have been very few studies about its use in children and adolescents. Eight adolescent patients who were diagnosed as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and treated with olanzapine are reported in this case series. The patients were followed-up for 17.5 weeks in the range 4-26 weeks. According to the CGI improvement assessment at the end of the follow-up period, three of eight cases were rated as very much or much improved, three as minimally improved and two as not improved. Olanzapine was well tolerated by the adolescents in this case series except for weight gain. Our results suggest that olanzapine may be an effective antipsychotic for some psychotic adolescents and during olanzapine trials weight gain. Should be monitored. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.