Gluteal muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis after olanzapine poisoning: a case report

Olanzapine is a widely adopted atypical antipsychotic medication used to manage schizophrenia. Reports show that the incidence rate of adverse reactions to olanzapine is significantly lower than those of other classic antipsychotic medications. However, olanzapine overdose may be associated with severe consequences. Herein, we report a 21-year-old female patient who had taken nearly 700 mg (70 tablets) of olanzapine; she was found after 30 hours. As her condition progressed, she presented with rhabdomyolysis, swelling in the thighs and hips, paralytic ileus, digestive tract hemorrhage, and elevated serum amylase and lipase levels; notably, she recovered after treatment. This intractable case is of great clinical significance and suggests that early-phase hemoperfusion plays a critical role in olanzapine poisoning-related rhabdomyolysis.

Designed proteinoid polymers and nanoparticles encapsulating risperidone for enhanced antipsychotic activity

Background Nanoparticles (NPs) incorporating drug formulations can be used to facilitate passage through biological barriers including the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and increase drug delivery and bioavailability. Hence, NP-based administration may enhance the efficiency of current antipsychotics. Encapsulation within NPs can resolve aqueous solubility problems that not only reduce permeability through the BBB but also affect targeting. The present study describes a new drug delivery system based on proteinoid NPs to explore the possibility of improving drug efficacy. Risperidone (RSP) is a commonly used atypical antipsychotic medication, and was therefore selected for encapsulation by proteinoid NPs. Results Proteinoid polymers with high molecular weight and low polydispersity were synthesized from l-amino acids and poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) by thermal step-growth polymerization mechanism. RSP-loaded proteinoid NPs were then prepared using a self-assembly process in the presence of RSP, followed by PEGylation. The optimal PEGylated RSP-loaded NPs were characterized in terms of diameter and size distribution, drug loading, ζ-potential, cytotoxicity, biodistribution, and psychopharmacological effects. The findings indicate significantly higher antipsychotic activity of drug-loaded proteinoid NPs compared to free RSP. Conclusions Proteinoid NPs enhance RSP delivery and may potentially increase drug efficiency by reducing dosage and side effects.

Relation between hyponatremia and alteration in gross metabolic parameters after atypical antipsychotic therapy

Background: Weight gain and hyponatremia which is dilutional in nature, has been well known adverse effects associated with use of atypical antipsychotic medication but the plausible impact of dilutional hyponatremia on weight gain has not been explored.Methods: One hundred and three patients more than 18 years of age of either gender who were prescribed, olanzapine or risperidone, were tested for serum electrolytes (Na+ and K+) and gross metabolic parameters (weight and waist circumference) were measured for baseline and post drug testing.Results: Most common age group was 30-39 years of age in the patient study sample (n=103) with 38 (36.90%) patients were females while rest 63 (63.10%) were males. There was no significant association between serum sodium levels and weight gain was observed (p >0.05). It was observed that in olanzapine group 64% of the studied cases had weight gain whereas in risperidone group only 20.8% reported weight gain (p <0.001). There was significant association between olanzapine and increase in waist circumference over risperidone, irrespective to serum sodium status (x2=0.0148, p >0.05).Conclusions: Olanzapine was primarily responsible for weight gain and increase in waist circumference over risperidone. These gross metabolic parameters were not influenced by hyponatremia.