A comparison of olanzapine versus risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

Abstract

Objective This meta-analysis was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of olanzapine with risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia. Methods Data from randomised, double-blind studies were analysed according to short- (≤12 weeks) and longer-term (>12 weeks) treatment, and included all-doses analyses and a sensitivity analysis of clinically relevant doses. A range of efficacy and safety parameters was measured. Results Olanzapine produced statistically significant improvements in efficacy and safety parameters compared with risperidone over both the short and longer term. Anticholinergic use, study dropouts, changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Brief Psychiatric Ra..