Olanzapine - a second generation antipsychotic in the treatment of schizophrenic disorder

Before the introduction of olanzapine in the German market, various studies were conducted to show pharmacokinetics, effectivity and tolerance of olanzapine for schizophrenic patients. Olanzapine has shown in vitro and in vivo to have a similar receptor binding profile with a mesolimbic selectivity and low rate of EPS. The equal or better effectivity in the acute phase of the schizophrenic disorder was proven in comparison to haloperidol, fluphenazine, risperidone and others. First results show a special effectivity of olanzapine in the treatment of first-episode and treatment-resistant patients. The long-term course shows olanzapine to be more effective on negative symptoms and superior in compliance subjective well-being and quality of life than haloperidol and risperidone. With respect to tolerance, 6000 patients up to date have been treated with olanzapine. Olanzapine seems to have a lower rate of EPS compared to haloperidol and risperidone, a very low increase of prolactin levels and almost no risk of agranulocytosis. A problem however seems to be the strong weight increase, which can affect compliance.