(#1) Clinician Perspectives on the Efficacy and Safety/Tolerability of Olanzapine Compared With Other Antipsychotics: Results From the SONAR (Survey on Olanzapine Needs and Attitudes Research) Study

Abstract: Olanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic with a well-established efficacy:safety profile. Since olanzapineís approval in 1996 for treatment of schizophrenia, more antipsychotic options have become available. The SONAR study aimed to assess US practicing psychiatric cliniciansí current attitudes and treatment-prescribing patterns related to olanzapine compared to other antipsychotics. Overall, 437 clinicians (76% psychiatrists; 17% nurse practitioners or physician assistants; 7% psychiatry nurses) managing ?1 patient with schizophrenia per month were surveyed in October-December 2024 via direct email. Clinicians had a mean range of 10ñ19 years in practice and managed a mean range of 39ñ79 patients with schizophrenia per month, 24ñ56% of whom were on olanzapine. Clinicians perceived olanzapine to be more effective than other non-clozapine antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia, especially for positive symptoms and aggression/agitation. In contrast, the perception of safety/tolerability was less favorable for olanzapine compared to other antipsychotics, particularly relating to sedation, weight gain, and metabolic effects. However, olanzapine was viewed as safer or comparable to several other therapies regarding prolactin elevation and drug-induced movement disorders like extrapyramidal symptoms. Clinicians were more likely to choose olanzapine than other antipsychotics for key clinical scenarios like acute exacerbation, first episode schizophrenia, and suboptimal response to initial treatment. Clozapine was most likely to be used for treatment resistance. Overall, clinicians continue to view olanzapine as a highly efficacious molecule for treating schizophrenia. Despite association with higher risk of cardiometabolic adverse events, clinicians still prefer olanzapine over other antipsychotics due to efficacy in a variety of clinical scenarios.Short Description: SONAR assessed the current attitudes and treatment-prescribing patterns of US practicing psychiatric clinicians (Nf437) related to use of olanzapine for the treatment of schizophrenia. Overall, clinicians indicated more favorable opinions of olanzapine efficacy compared with other antipsychotics but less favorable opinions of safety/tolerability. Clinicians also reported olanzapine as the preferred treatment for key patient scenarios such as acute exacerbation, first episode schizophrenia, and suboptimal response to initial treatment.Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D LLC