Olanzapine in practice: A prospective naturalistic study

Abstract

Aims and method. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the naturalistic use of olanzapine. Prescribers of olanzapine were asked to provide baseline and six-week Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores for 56 in-patients. Withdrawals from treatment were also noted. Results. Olanzapine was not effective in any of the 12 patients with refractory schizophrenia and four patients worsened. In 36 patients with non-refractory schizophrenia, 16 (44%) improved and 10 (28%) were categorised as treatment failures. Of eight patients with non-schizophrenic psychosis, only one improved and two were treatment failures. Clinical implications. Olanzapine is effective in treating non-refractory schizophrenia, but appears to have no beneficial effect in refractory schizophrenia.