Abstract
Objective
To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of olanzapine and quetiapine in adolescents with first episode psychosis.
Method
Fifty adolescents (age 16 ± 1.25) with a first episode of psychosis were randomized to quetiapine or olanzapine in a 6-month open label study. Efficacy and side effect scales, as well as vital signs and laboratory data were recorded at baseline, 7, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days (end of study).
Results
Out of the total sample included in the study, 32 patients completed the trial (quetiapine n = 16, olanzapine n = 16). Patients in both treatment groups had a significant reduction in all clinical scales with the exception of the negative scale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) for olanzapine and the general psychopathology scale of the PANSS for quetiapine. The only difference between treatment arms on the clinical scales was observed on the patients’ strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) scale, with greater improvement for olanzapine. Patients on olanzapine gained 15.5 kg and patients on quetiapine gained 5.5 kg.
Conclusion
Olanzapine and quetiapine reduced psychotic symptoms in this adolescent sample. Patients on olanzapine gained significantly more weight. Side effects with both drugs seemed to be more prevalent than those reported in adult studies.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Supported by Investigator Initiated Study (D1441C00007) funded by AstraZeneca,, Fundación Alicia Koplowitz, and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM.
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Clinical Trials Registry:
Trial Registry name: Estudio piloto comparativo de quetiapina frente a olanzapina en pacientes con primeros brotes psicóticos de inicio en la infancia y la adolescencia.
Registration identification number: 02-0300, SPGM-001.
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Arango, C., Robles, O., Parellada, M. et al. Olanzapine compared to quetiapine in adolescents with a first psychotic episode. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 18, 418–428 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0749-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0749-5