Background: Because olanzapine and risperidone have similar efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of schizophrenia and these two agents are the most widely used atypical antipsychotics in Hungary, the utilisation of the drugs is a relevant consideration. The purpose of this study was to follow the utilisation trend of olanzapine and risperidone in the Gálfi Béla Hospital, which is a specialised institute on psychiatric rehabilitation.
Methods: Data regarding dosages and psychiatrists' clinical preferences were collected through studying hospital charts in the Gálfi Béla Hospital during the period 1999-2003.
Results: Utilisation of the agents indicated that there was an increase of use for the whole examined period in the Gálfi Béla Hospital, although unambiguous growth began only in 2001.
Conclusions: Hospital chart analysis shows that both drugs were used to a large extent and risperidone use is increasing more rapidly, which is justified by the gerontopsychiatric profile of the hospital.