Long-acting injectable risperidone v. olanzapine tablets for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable risperidone have not been compared with those of an oral atypical antipsychotic.AimsTo compare long-acting risperidone and oral olanzapine in 377 patients with DSM–IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.MethodPatients were randomised to receive long-acting risperidone (25 mg or 50 mg every 14 days) or olanzapine (5–20 mg/day).ResultsIn the 13-week phase, long-acting risperidone was at least as effective as (not inferior to) oral olanzapine. In the 12-month phase, significant improvements in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and factor scores from baseline to month 12 and end-point were seen in both groups of patients. Few patients discontinued treatment because of an adverse event.ConclusionsBoth treatments were efficacious and well tolerated.