Abstract
There is paucity of published data regarding controlled trials with risperidone and olanzapine in elderly psychotic patients. Medical records of 151 hospitalized geropsychiatric patients (risperidone patients n = 114 and olanzapine patients n = 37) were analyzed for demographic data, target symptoms, doses, effects, side effects, comorbid medical conditions and concurrent medications. The mean age of the patients was 71 years. The male: female ratio was essentially the same for both groups. The mean daily dose was 3 mg for risperidone and 10 mg for olanzapine. 78% of the risperidone group and 75% of the olanzapine group appear to have responded to treatment. The discontinuation rates of medication was the same in both groups (22%). Adverse events were reported in 16–17% in both groups. It appears from this study that both risperidone and olanzapine are relatively safe and effective in geropsychiatric patients with comorbid medical illnesses. Controlled studies and head-to-head comparison studies are recommended.
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Madhusoodanan, S., Suresh, P., Brenner, R. et al. Experience with the Atypical Antipsychotics—Risperidone and Olanzapine in the Elderly. Ann Clin Psychiatry 11, 113–118 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022351725541
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022351725541