The use of olanzapine as a first and second choice treatment in schizophrenia

Cummins C, Stevens A, Kisely S
Record ID 31999008499
English
Authors' objectives:

To summarise the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of olanzapine as a first and second choice treatment in schizophrenia.

Authors' results and conclusions: Olanzapine is an atypical neuroleptic which has a better reported efficacy and side effects profile than conventional neuroleptics such as haloperidol, and has potential for use as first and second choice therapy in the acute treatment of schizophrenia. The evidence on the efficacy of olanzapine comes from four published double blind RCTs of only six weeks duration and from three extension phases. Higher response rates and fewer side effects have been achieved with olanzapine compared with haloperidol, along with better control of negative symptoms over the six weeks of the trials.
Authors' recommendations: Schizophrenia remains a significant health problem despite neuroleptic drugs. Many patients are refractory and others experience significant side effects. Social and health service costs are much greater than drug costs, therefore analyses such as the one presented are likely to favour widening the armoury of neuroleptics. Definitive proof of the primacy of a particular neuroleptic requires longer-term trials and follow-up.
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/1998/olanzapine.pdf
Year Published: 1998
URL for published report: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/1998/olanzapine-appen.pdf
URL for additional information: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mds/projects/HaPS/PHEB/WMHTAC/REP/reports-list.aspx
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England
MeSH Terms
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Quality of Life
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Schizophrenia
Contact
Organisation Name: West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration
Contact Address: Elaena Donald-Lopez, West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 121 414 7450; Fax: +44 121 414 7878
Contact Name: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk
Contact Email: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk
Copyright: University of Birmingham
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.