Poster
104
(#104) Clinician Perspectives on Olanzapine-Associated Adverse Event Mitigation Strategies for Schizophrenia Treatment: Results From the SONAR (Survey on Olanzapine Needs and Attitudes Research) Study
Psych Congress 2025
Abstract: Olanzapine is an effective treatment for schizophrenia but has metabolic adverse effects including weight gain. As ~30-86% of patients treated with olanzapine gain weight, early mitigation and monitoring is important. This analysis of the SONAR study explored US psychiatric clinicians' current perspectives on olanzapine adverse event mitigation strategies to understand how they impact treatment decisions.
Online surveys were administered October-December 2024. Eligible clinicians were actively managing ≥1 patient with schizophrenia per month and had clinical experience with olanzapine for schizophrenia treatment.
Overall, 437 clinicians (76% psychiatrists; 17% nurse practitioners/physician assistants; 7% psychiatry nurses) were surveyed. Clinicians recommended varying mitigation strategies for different adverse events. Most clinicians (74%) reduced olanzapine dose for sedation and 57% switched antipsychotic for cardiovascular effects.
Most clinicians (93%) considered patient's risk of weight gain before selecting olanzapine. When initiating pharmacological weight gain mitigation, clinicians' main considerations were metabolic side effects (33%) and patient-reported dissatisfaction (23%).
Clinicians prioritized lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise/diet; 58%), switching antipsychotic (19%) and adjunctive medication (13%) to mitigate weight gain with olanzapine. Clinicians perceived adjunctive medication as the most effective weight mitigation strategy allowing patients to remain on olanzapine; 66% of clinicians rated weight loss medication as "somewhat effective" and 22% as "very effective." Metformin (off-label use) was clinicians' preferred medication (45%).
In conclusion, several mitigation strategies are available for patients on olanzapine, and most clinicians will use these strategies if required. This highlights clinicians' willingness to continue patients on olanzapine due to its perceived efficacy, despite known adverse events.
Short Description: SONAR assessed US psychiatric clinicians' (N=437) perspectives on olanzapine adverse event mitigation strategies. Clinicians recommended varying mitigation strategies for different adverse events. For weight-gain mitigation, most clinicians considered risk of weight gain before initiating olanzapine, and most preferred lifestyle changes as the first mitigation strategy. Clinicians reported adjunctive medication as the most effective mitigation strategy for remaining on olanzapine. Results showed clinicians' willingness to use olanzapine despite known adverse events, due to its perceived efficacy.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D LLC
Online surveys were administered October-December 2024. Eligible clinicians were actively managing ≥1 patient with schizophrenia per month and had clinical experience with olanzapine for schizophrenia treatment.
Overall, 437 clinicians (76% psychiatrists; 17% nurse practitioners/physician assistants; 7% psychiatry nurses) were surveyed. Clinicians recommended varying mitigation strategies for different adverse events. Most clinicians (74%) reduced olanzapine dose for sedation and 57% switched antipsychotic for cardiovascular effects.
Most clinicians (93%) considered patient's risk of weight gain before selecting olanzapine. When initiating pharmacological weight gain mitigation, clinicians' main considerations were metabolic side effects (33%) and patient-reported dissatisfaction (23%).
Clinicians prioritized lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise/diet; 58%), switching antipsychotic (19%) and adjunctive medication (13%) to mitigate weight gain with olanzapine. Clinicians perceived adjunctive medication as the most effective weight mitigation strategy allowing patients to remain on olanzapine; 66% of clinicians rated weight loss medication as "somewhat effective" and 22% as "very effective." Metformin (off-label use) was clinicians' preferred medication (45%).
In conclusion, several mitigation strategies are available for patients on olanzapine, and most clinicians will use these strategies if required. This highlights clinicians' willingness to continue patients on olanzapine due to its perceived efficacy, despite known adverse events.
Short Description: SONAR assessed US psychiatric clinicians' (N=437) perspectives on olanzapine adverse event mitigation strategies. Clinicians recommended varying mitigation strategies for different adverse events. For weight-gain mitigation, most clinicians considered risk of weight gain before initiating olanzapine, and most preferred lifestyle changes as the first mitigation strategy. Clinicians reported adjunctive medication as the most effective mitigation strategy for remaining on olanzapine. Results showed clinicians' willingness to use olanzapine despite known adverse events, due to its perceived efficacy.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D LLC
