This work may not be copied, distributed, displayed, published, reproduced, transmitted, modified, posted, sold, licensed, or used for commercial purposes. By downloading this file, you are agreeing to the publisher’s Terms & Conditions.

Original Research

A Double-Blind Comparison of Olanzapine Versus Risperidone in the Acute Treatment of Dementia- Related Behavioral Disturbances in Extended Care Facilities

Catherine S. Fontaine, MD; Linda S. Hynan, PhD; Kathleen Koch, BS, MS, RN; Kristin Martin-Cook, MS; Doris Svetlik, BS, MS, RN; and Myron F. Weiner, MD

Published: June 15, 2003

Article Abstract

Background: In addition to demonstrating their superiority to placebo, there is a need to compare the relative efficacy and side effects of atypical neuroleptics for the acute treatment of dementia-related behavioral disturbances in residents of long-term care facilities.

Method: In a double-blind parallel study allowing dose titration over 14 days, 39 agitated persons with DSM-IV dementia who were residing in long-term care facilities were administered olanzapine (N = 20) or risperidone (N = 19) as acute treatment. Drug was administered once a day at bedtime. The initial dosages were olanzapine, 2.5 mg/day, and risperidone, 0.5 mg/day. Titration was allowed to maximum doses of olanzapine, 10 mg/day, and risperidone, 2.0 mg/day. The primary outcome measures were the Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Data were gathered from 2000 to 2002.

Results: Both drugs produced significant reductions in CGI and NPI scores (p < .0001), but there was no significant difference between drugs. The mean olanzapine dose was 6.65 mg/day; for risperidone, the dose was 1.47 mg/day. The positive drug effect was not accompanied by decreased mobility, and there was improvement on a quality-of-life measure. The chief adverse events were drowsiness and falls. At baseline, 42% (16/38) of subjects in both groups had extrapyramidal symptoms that increased slightly, but not significantly, by the end of the study.

Conclusion: Low-dose, once-a-day olanzapine and risperidone appear to be equally safe and equally effective in the treatment of dementia-related behavioral disturbances in residents of extended care facilities.

Volume: 64

Quick Links: Dementia , Neurologic and Neurocognitive

Continue Reading…

Subscribe to read the entire article

$40.00

Buy this Article as a PDF