Antipsychotic-Induced Electrocardiographic Changes: A Comparative Study Between Olanzapine and Risperidone

Title:Antipsychotic-Induced Electrocardiographic Changes: A Comparative Study Between Olanzapine and Risperidone

Volume: 3

Author(s): Saeed S. Shafti and Parisa F. Jahromi

Affiliation:

Keywords: Olanzapine, Q-T interval, risperidone.

Abstract: Introduction: Drug-induced torsade de pointes (TdP) is a rare life-threatening adverse drug reaction (ADR) which is strongly influenced by gender and age. A number of antipsychotics have been linked to TdP and sudden death. In the present study, the electrocardiographic changes induced by olanzapine and risperidone were compared with each other among a group of female schizophrenic patients.

Method: Two hundred and sixty eight female inpatients with diagnosis of schizophrenia, according to the criteria of DSMIV- TR, were entered in either of the two parallel groups, to participate in an open study for random assignment to olanzapine (n=148, 5-25 mg/day) or risperidone (n=120, 4-8 mg/day). Standard 12-lead surface ECG was taken from each patient at baseline, and then again at the end of the treatment. The parameters that had been assessed included: heart rate (HR), P-R interval, QRS interval, Q-T interval (corrected = Q-Tc), Ventricular Activation Time (VAT), ST segment, T wave, Axis of QRS and finally inter-ventricular conduction process.

Results: 37.83% of the cases in the olanzapine group and 30% of them in the risperidone group showed some Q-Tc changes. 13.51% and 24.32% of the patients in the olanzapine group showed prolongation and shortening of the Q-Tc interval, respectively. The abovementioned changes in the risperidone group were restricted to only prolongation of Q-Tc. Comparison of means, between baseline Q-Tc of risperidone group against its post-treatment measurement showed a significant increment (p = 0.02). In addition, comparison of proportions in the olanzapine group showed that the quantity of cases with shortening of Q-Tc was significantly more than the number of the patients with Q-Tc prolongation (p =0.01). The mean modal dose of olanzapine and risperidone during the present assessment was 19.49±5.51 and 5.14±2.86 mg/day, respectively.

Conclusion: Comparable tendency of olanzapine and risperidone, for induction of significant electrocardiographic changes, demands as much as necessary watchfulness by clinicians, especially with respect to Q-T interval alterations.

Cite this article as:

S. Shafti Saeed and F. Jahromi Parisa, Antipsychotic-Induced Electrocardiographic Changes: A Comparative Study Between Olanzapine and Risperidone, Current Psychopharmacology 2014; 3 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/221155600302150302111019