Effect of olanzapine and risperidone on subjective well- being and craving for cannabis in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders: a double blind randomized trial

Objective The aim of this study was to examine whether subjective well-being and craving for cannabis were different in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders treated with either olanzapine or risperidone. Method A 6-week, double blind, randomized trial of olanzapine and risperidone was carried out in 128 young adults with recent onset schizophrenia or related disorders. Primary efficacy measures were the mean baseline-to-endpoint change in total scores on the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics Scale (SWN), the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), the Drug Desire Questionnaire (DDQ) and the Cannabis Use Self Report (CUSR). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test between-group differences. Results Estimated D2 receptor occupancy did not differ between olanzapine (n=63) and risperidone (n=65). Similar improvements in subjective well-being were found in both groups. In the co-morbid cannabis-using group (n=41, 32%), a similar decrease in craving for cannabis was found in both treatment conditions. Conclusions Both, olanzapine and risperidone were associated with improved subjective well-being. No evidence was found for a differential effect of olanzapine or risperidone on subjective experience or on craving for cannabis in doses leading to comparable dopamine D2 occupancy.