Progress In The Long Term Treatment Of Schizophrenia (The Giant Leap Of Olanzapine Depot Era)

Research Article
Stoynov K., Ganev I and Donchev T
DOI: 
xxx-xxxxx-xxxx
Subject: 
Medicine
KeyWords: 
Depot antipsychotic, olanzapine, compliance, CGI, post-injection syndrome.
Abstract: 

The primary objective was to present our experience in the application of olanzapine injection for treatment of schizophrenia. The use of depot antipsychotics has many advantages and the low drug compliance is the main factor leading to selection of depot injections. Managing non-compliance is exceptionally important task which, though, has been solved namely due to the successful application of depot antipsychotics. The first line of therapy is occupied by atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine. The efficacy of treatment with olanzapine depot has been clinically evaluated by measuring CGI at each application for each patient. Three-hour supervision by staff has been provided as well as a standard operating procedure for involving resuscitation team and emergency room admission, if necessary. Three- year follow-up of CGI assessment reported a steady trend of improvement in the patients’ status. Two cases of post-injection syndrome have been registered and managed promptly. Despite the undeniable advantages of depot antipsychotics, in particular - olanzapine, there was a small remaining proportion of schizophrenic patients receiving such treatment. With regard to the post-injection syndrome, it turned out that it has been carried out as Bonhoeffer’s exogenous type of reaction, and as such, it has effectively been treated with haloperidol.