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Abstract

The number of elderly persons with psychosis will increase with the increasing geriatric population. Olanzapine is one of the newer atypical antipsychotics with efficacy for positive and negative symptoms and safer side effect profile compared to conventional antipsychotics. The manuscript describes the pharmacology, efficacy and tolerability studies, adverse effects and dosing considerations in the elderly. Further studies are needed to fully assess the efficacy and safety of olanzapine in the elderly. Current research supports a role for olanzapine in treating elderly patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Use of atypical antipsychotics in the elderly: a clinical review

“…Madhusoodanan et al demonstrated the efficacy and safety of olanzapine (5–20 mg/day) in eleven elderly patients aged between 60–85 years with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders; it is usually well tolerated even if some elderly patients, when compared to young adults, may have a six-fold higher prevalence of tardive dyskinesia when treated with olanzapine 1,35,36…”

In an Emergency Setting, What Is the Best Intramuscular Pharmacological Treatment to Give to an Agitated Geriatric Patient?

“…Additionally, olanzapine is available both intramuscularly and orally, which allows a bridge from IM use to oral use in patients who need extended treatment. Madhusoodanan et al demonstrated the safe use of olanzapine (5-20 mg/day) in 11 elderly patients aged 60-85 years with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders [ 33 - 35 ]. There seemed to be nearly no cardiac effects as seen with other antipsychotic medications and first- and second-generation antipsychotics [ 31 ].…”