Strategies of treatment with olanzapine in schizophrenic patients during stable phase: Results of a pilot study

ObjectiveThere is an ongoing debate regarding doses of antipsychotic in stable schizophrenia patients. This French pilot study was undertaken to estimate two strategies of treatment with olanzapine in stable phase — maintenance of the acute dose or dose reduction.Method6 months open, randomized trial comparing two strategies of treatment with olanzapine in 97 schizophrenia stabilized outpatients.ResultsMean daily doses at 6 months in the olanzapine full dose (OFD) and reduction dose (ORD) groups were respectively 18.1 mg and 13.3 mg. 4 patients (8%) relapsed in the ORD group versus 3 (6%) in the OFD group. A secondary analysis reflecting more real life setting showed a numerically higher rate of relapse in the dose reduction group (20% versus 10%).ConclusionThese results suggest that maintenance treatment with olanzapine, beyond 4 months, with the same dose that was effective acutely could be useful to prevent new psychiatric hospitalization.