Objective: To compare the short term anti-schizophrenic efficacy and side effect profile of aripiprazole with risperidone.

Methodology: The study was a non-randomized, naturalistic, rater blinded, prospective, 8-12 weeks, comparative trial between the risperidone and aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia. Patients already getting treatment with aripiprazole (10 to 30 mg/day) or risperidone (3 to 8mg/day) were recruited. Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Plus, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Simpson Angus Scale (SAS), Udvalg for Klinske Undersogelser (UKU) Scale, Clinical Global Impression-severity scales were administered by principal investigator on the day of recruitment. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist, hip, waist circumference) blood pressure and pulse rate were measured on day 1 and during follow up. All tests except MINI plus were administered again after 8-12weeks.

Results: Both aripiprazole and risperidone treated patients have shown significant improvement on positive and negative symptoms but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Mean improvement in patient rated improvement scale score showed a trend towards significance favoring aripiprazole. Common adverse events (seen in ≥ 5% of patients) as assessed by the UKU Scale occurred more frequently in the risperidone group than in the aripiprazole group. Drug induced extra pyramidal symptoms were more common in risperidone treated patients. Aripiprazole showed less treatment emerged weight gain.

Conclusion: Aripiprazole is equally efficacious and better tolerated than risperidone in patients with schizophrenia over a short-term period of eight weeks. Aripiprazole showed better patient satisfaction and side effect profile.