Three cases of schizophrenia for which olanzapine was effective after early acute phase.

AIMS: It clarifies a difference between early acute phase and late acute phase in medication.

METHODS

The present report describes three patients with schizophrenia who presented with restlessness and excitement requiring hospitalization.

RESULTS

Treatment with risperidone solution orally or parenteral haloperidol until the day after admission, followed by olanzapine, successfully improved the clinical condition of the patients. In the early stage of hospitalization, selection of fast-acting drugs that can be administered to uncooperative patients is considered preferable, focusing on rapid control of symptoms and behavioral disorders, whereas after this early stage, olanzapine is preferable for improving patient compliance in addition to stabilizing symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Because the target symptoms differ between the early and late acute phases, the term 'acute phase' used in the broad sense should be divided into two units, each requiring a different therapeutic strategy, and independent clinical approaches should be considered in order to provide more suitable treatment.