Risperidone versus olanzapine among patients with schizophrenia participating in supported employment: Eighteen-month outcomes.

This study compares the efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine versus risperidone among patients with schizophrenia who are established in outpatient psychiatric care and entering supported employment. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial was conducted among 107 outpatients with schizophrenia, who were cross-titrated to flexible dose risperidone or olanzapine over 2 weeks. Clinical endpoints included time to hospitalization and persistence on assigned medication.

An open-label pilot study of quetiapine plus mirtazapine for heavy drinkers with alcohol use disorder.

Animal research suggests that medications that produce a weak dopamine D2 receptor blockade and potentiate noradrenergic activity may decrease alcohol drinking. In an open-label pilot study of subjects with alcohol dependence, we tested whether the combination of quetiapine, a weak dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, whose primary metabolite, desalkylquetiapine, is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, and mirtazapine, a potent α2 norepinephrine receptor antagonist, would decrease alcohol drinking and craving. Twenty very heavy drinkers with alcohol dependence entered a trial of 8 weeks of treatment with quetiapine followed by 8 weeks of treatment with a combination of quetiapine plus mirtazapine.

A randomized trial of clozapine vs. other antipsychotics for cannabis use disorder in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Cannabis use disorder is the most common co-occurring drug use disorder in people with schizophrenia and is associated with poor outcomes. We launched a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of clozapine compared with treatment as usual on cannabis use in patients with schizophrenia and co-occurring cannabis use disorder.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with schizophrenia and co-occurring cannabis use disorder were randomly assigned to switch to clozapine or to stay on their current antipsychotic and were then followed weekly for 12 weeks.

Reversal of antipsychotic-associated weight gain.

Background: Given growing concern about weight gain associated with treatment with antipsychotic agents, we performed a retrospective chart review of patients who reversed weight gain associated with antipsychotic treatment to determine the prevalence of reversal and both the course and methods used.

Method: Prevalence of weight gain reversal was determined by surveying clinicians. Of 53 patients who gained >/= 20 lb (9 kg) during antipsychotic treatment, an initial sample of 12 patients (23%) who subsequently lost >/= 10 lb (5 kg) was identified.