Objective: Acute agitation sometimes requires higher antipsychotic doses; safety concerns may preclude use in elderly patients. Olanzapine’s efficacy and safety have been reported in general adult populations
Design: We evaluated 2 oral (p.o.) and 4 intramuscular (IM) olanzapine trials in older (>/=50) agitated patients. IM studies used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale – Excited Component (PANSS-EC) to measure agitation. Measures varied across oral studies; data were pooled where appropriate. Extrapyramidal symptoms and laboratory tests were evaluated.
Materials and Methods: Patients received olanzapine up to 15 mg/day p.o. and 10 mg/day IM. Numerical baseline-to-endpoint improvement occurred in all studies on all efficacy measures.
Results: Significant improvement was seen at both 2 and 24 hours with 5 mg/day IM (p<.001; p<.001) and 10 mg/day IM (p<.001; p<.001). In oral trials, significant within-group improvement at 1-week was demonstrated with 5 mg/day (p=.003) and sustained through 8-week endpoint (p=.010). Significant baseline-to-endpoint improvement also occurred with 10 mg/day (p=.005) and 15 mg/day (p=.024). No significant adverse events emerged.
Conclusion: Agitation in elderly patients improved on higher olanzapine doses without significant adverse events. Results suggest that doses up to 15 mg/day p.o. or 10 mg/day IM may be used safely in elderly patients. Larger elderly studies are warranted.
Back to PD Thursday Poster Sessions
Back to The Eleventh International Congress