Switch to Olanzapine from Clozapine or Risperidone and 12-months Follow Up

In clinical setting, treatment-refractoriness, medication induced tardive dyskinesia and amenorrhea in chronic schizophrenia are frequently problematic. However, there are few guideline solving these problem available to clinicians. The goal of this study was collecting clinical data on clinical effeciveness and predictors of response of switching to olanzapine. We attempted to switch to olanzapine from risperidone and clozapine in chronic 31(risperidone 17, clozapine 14) schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients suffering from sustained symptoms, weekly blood monitoring, medication induced tardive dyskinesia and amenorrhea. Previous antipsychotics dosage was gradually decreased for 2 or 3 weeks, at the same time olanzapine dosage was gradually increased. At baseline, after 1 week, after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks we checked Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale, Sympson-Angus Rating Scale, Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale and Followed up after 12 months. Successful switch after 4 weeks was achieved in 25 patients(clozapine 9(64.2%), risperidone 16(94.1%). Overall, mean BPRS and CGI scores increased significantly. Successful maintenance after 12 months was achieved in 17 patients(clozapine 5(35.7%), risperidone 2(70.5%). Overall, mean BPRS and CGI scores increased significantly too. Switching to olanzapine from other atypical antipsychotics is recommendable in chronic schizophrenia with treatment refreactoriness and drug induced side effect.

Nefazodone and Associated Perceptual Disturbance : A Report of Four Cases

Nefazodone, a newer antidepressant is a phenylpiperazine derivative that inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, and antagonizes 5-HT2A and alpha1 adrenergic receptors. Compared with SSRIs nefazodone caused the fewer activating symptoms, adverse gastrointestinal effects(nausea, diarrhea, anorexia) and adverse effects of sexual function, but is associated with the more dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances and confusion. We report on 4 cases of visual disturbances and hallucinations in patients taking nefazodone. 1) Nefazodone, as a 5-HT2A antagonist, might induce visual disturbances. 2) mCPP, metabolite of nefazodone might contribute to the hallucination through action on 5-HT receptor. 3) Dopaminergic enhancing activity of nefazodone might cause hallucination. The case report raises the possibility that dose-related perceptual disturbances may exist with nefazodone. The fact emphasizes the need to pay close attention to all possible drug interactions, particularly in patients treated with multiple psychoactive agents, older patients, and patients with decreased hepatic function.

A Case of Delayed Risperidone-induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / 신경정신의학

Risperidone is a relatively new antipsychotic agent. It is often referred to as 'atypical', because it has a mechanism of action that blocks post synaptic dopamine-2 and serotonin-2 receptors, it is associated with fewer extrapyramidal side effects, it is not yet associated with tardive dyskinesia, and it may have some efficacy on negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In despite of its 'atypical' nature, there are already more than 15 reports of risperidone-induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Only one case of risperidone-induced NMS was reported recently in Korea. We report one case of delayed risperidoneinduced neuroleptic malignant syndrome in young male patient and review the related articles.