INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to determine effectiveness and safety of olanzapine in patients with severe agitation. METHOD: A naturalistic, open-label study in 80 acutely agitated psychotic patients visited in our psychiatric emergency department. Patients received either a 20-mg olanzapine orally-disintegrating tablet or conventional treatment depending on attending psychiatrist's preference. Efficacy was assessed by the Excitement Component of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-EC), the Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES) and pragmatic variables (second pharmacological intervention and need for physical restraints). RESULTS: 60 % patients completed a 6 hour trial. Both groups showed a significant reduction in mean PANSS-EC score. The olanzapine-treated group showed statistically significant improvements: PANSS-EC (F=122.9; df=2.4; p=0.000), ACES (F=68.2; df=2.8; p=0.000). Treatment was well-tolerated and no serious side-effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this naturalistic study in patients with severe agitation, 20-mg oral olanzapine was effective, rapid and safe.
INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to determine effectiveness and safety of olanzapine in patients with severe agitation. METHOD: A naturalistic, open-label study in 80 acutely agitated psychoticpatients visited in our psychiatric emergency department. Patients received either a 20-mg olanzapine orally-disintegrating tablet or conventional treatment depending on attending psychiatrist's preference. Efficacy was assessed by the Excitement Component of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-EC), the Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES) and pragmatic variables (second pharmacological intervention and need for physical restraints). RESULTS: 60 % patients completed a 6 hour trial. Both groups showed a significant reduction in mean PANSS-EC score. The olanzapine-treated group showed statistically significant improvements: PANSS-EC (F=122.9; df=2.4; p=0.000), ACES (F=68.2; df=2.8; p=0.000). Treatment was well-tolerated and no serious side-effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this naturalistic study in patients with severe agitation, 20-mg oral olanzapine was effective, rapid and safe.
Authors: Maryam Ziaei; Ali Massoudifar; Ali Rajabpour-Sanati; Ali-Mohammad Pourbagher-Shahri; Ali Abdolrazaghnejad Journal: Adv J Emerg Med Date: 2018-11-29
Authors: Jörg Czekalla; Thomas Wagner; Alexander Schacht; Michael Kluge; Bruce Kinon Journal: Patient Prefer Adherence Date: 2007-12-20 Impact factor: 2.711